Comparative Genomics and Adaptive Evolution of <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> in Geographically Distinct Human Gut Populations

<i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> is prevalent in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans, and significantly influences host health. Recent studies have predominantly investigated the probiotic characteristics of individual strains and their specific metabolic roles, whereas analy...

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Main Authors: Pei Fu, Hao Qi, Wenjun Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2747
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author Pei Fu
Hao Qi
Wenjun Liu
author_facet Pei Fu
Hao Qi
Wenjun Liu
author_sort Pei Fu
collection DOAJ
description <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> is prevalent in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans, and significantly influences host health. Recent studies have predominantly investigated the probiotic characteristics of individual strains and their specific metabolic roles, whereas analyses at the population genome level have been limited to date. This study conducted a comparative genomics analysis of 543 <i>B. adolescentis</i> genomes to explore genetic background variations and functional gene differences across geographically diverse populations. The results revealed significant differences in genome size and GC content among populations from Asia, Europe, and North America (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The pan-gene exhibited an open structure, reflecting the substantial genetic diversity within <i>B. adolescentis</i>. Functional annotation demonstrated that <i>B. adolescentis</i> possesses numerous protein-coding genes and abundant carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZys) implicated in carbohydrate degradation and transformation. Population-specific CAZys were identified, suggesting adaptive evolution driven by distinct regional dietary patterns.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2304-8158
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publishDate 2025-08-01
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spelling doaj-art-96abd29cb8df449ca1f87ec061c3c4b52025-08-20T04:00:55ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-08-011415274710.3390/foods14152747Comparative Genomics and Adaptive Evolution of <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> in Geographically Distinct Human Gut PopulationsPei Fu0Hao Qi1Wenjun Liu2Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China<i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> is prevalent in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans, and significantly influences host health. Recent studies have predominantly investigated the probiotic characteristics of individual strains and their specific metabolic roles, whereas analyses at the population genome level have been limited to date. This study conducted a comparative genomics analysis of 543 <i>B. adolescentis</i> genomes to explore genetic background variations and functional gene differences across geographically diverse populations. The results revealed significant differences in genome size and GC content among populations from Asia, Europe, and North America (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The pan-gene exhibited an open structure, reflecting the substantial genetic diversity within <i>B. adolescentis</i>. Functional annotation demonstrated that <i>B. adolescentis</i> possesses numerous protein-coding genes and abundant carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZys) implicated in carbohydrate degradation and transformation. Population-specific CAZys were identified, suggesting adaptive evolution driven by distinct regional dietary patterns.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2747<i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i>comparative genomicsfunctional gene annotationadaptive evolution
spellingShingle Pei Fu
Hao Qi
Wenjun Liu
Comparative Genomics and Adaptive Evolution of <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> in Geographically Distinct Human Gut Populations
Foods
<i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i>
comparative genomics
functional gene annotation
adaptive evolution
title Comparative Genomics and Adaptive Evolution of <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> in Geographically Distinct Human Gut Populations
title_full Comparative Genomics and Adaptive Evolution of <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> in Geographically Distinct Human Gut Populations
title_fullStr Comparative Genomics and Adaptive Evolution of <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> in Geographically Distinct Human Gut Populations
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Genomics and Adaptive Evolution of <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> in Geographically Distinct Human Gut Populations
title_short Comparative Genomics and Adaptive Evolution of <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i> in Geographically Distinct Human Gut Populations
title_sort comparative genomics and adaptive evolution of i bifidobacterium adolescentis i in geographically distinct human gut populations
topic <i>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</i>
comparative genomics
functional gene annotation
adaptive evolution
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2747
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AT haoqi comparativegenomicsandadaptiveevolutionofibifidobacteriumadolescentisiingeographicallydistincthumangutpopulations
AT wenjunliu comparativegenomicsandadaptiveevolutionofibifidobacteriumadolescentisiingeographicallydistincthumangutpopulations