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Large-scale computational efforts have begun to map thousands of human microbiome genes and their predicted proteins (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). These annotated proteins play roles in microbial communities, such as housekeeping, communication, adaptation, and defense. Additionally, specific microbial compounds like antimicrobial peptides, antibiotics, and certain proteins or lipids have been identified, some of which influence host biology in both preclinical and clinical settings (6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15).
The Number of Microbial Genes Is at Least 100 Times Higher than that of Human Genes (16). 3.3 Million Non-redundant Microbial Genes Are Approximately 150 Times Larger than the Human Genome Size (17).
Many of microbial genes are involved in main metabolic pathways such as carbon metabolism and amino acid synthesis. Maintaining the core microbiomes involved in carbon and amino acid metabolisms is a critical aspect of the gut commensal community. Consequently, intestinal microbiota intimately influences the metabolism of their mammalian hosts (18).
The enriched microbial genes detected in the gut microbiome of adults are associated with inflammation and fat deposition (19).
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(2) Sberro et al. 2019 Cell 178: 1245-1259
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see also:
Bacterial genome
Bioactive agents / Bioactive compounds
Human microbiota / Human microbiome