RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Population-based metagenomics analysis reveals markers for gut microbiome composition and diversity JF Science JO Science FD American Association for the Advancement of Science SP 565 OP 569 DO 10.1126/science.aad3369 VO 352 IS 6285 A1 Zhernakova, Alexandra A1 Kurilshikov, Alexander A1 Bonder, Marc Jan A1 Tigchelaar, Ettje F. A1 Schirmer, Melanie A1 Vatanen, Tommi A1 Mujagic, Zlatan A1 Vila, Arnau Vich A1 Falony, Gwen A1 Vieira-Silva, Sara A1 Wang, Jun A1 Imhann, Floris A1 Brandsma, Eelke A1 Jankipersadsing, Soesma A. A1 Joossens, Marie A1 Cenit, Maria Carmen A1 Deelen, Patrick A1 Swertz, Morris A. A1 , A1 Weersma, Rinse K. A1 Feskens, Edith J. M. A1 Netea, Mihai G. A1 Gevers, Dirk A1 Jonkers, Daisy A1 Franke, Lude A1 Aulchenko, Yurii S. A1 Huttenhower, Curtis A1 Raes, Jeroen A1 Hofker, Marten H. A1 Xavier, Ramnik J. A1 Wijmenga, Cisca A1 Fu, Jingyuan YR 2016 UL http://science.sciencemag.org/content/352/6285/565.abstract AB For the benefit of future clinical studies, it is critical to establish what constitutes a “normal” gut microbiome, if it exists at all. Through fecal samples and questionnaires, Falony et al. and Zhernakova et al. targeted general populations in Belgium and the Netherlands, respectively. Gut microbiota composition correlated with a range of factors including diet, use of medication, red blood cell counts, fecal chromogranin A, and stool consistency. The data give some hints for possible biomarkers of normal gut communities.Science, this issue pp. 560 and 565Deep sequencing of the gut microbiomes of 1135 participants from a Dutch population-based cohort shows relations between the microbiome and 126 exogenous and intrinsic host factors, including 31 intrinsic factors, 12 diseases, 19 drug groups, 4 smoking categories, and 60 dietary factors. These factors collectively explain 18.7% of the variation seen in the interindividual distance of microbial composition. We could associate 110 factors to 125 species and observed that fecal chromogranin A (CgA), a protein secreted by enteroendocrine cells, was exclusively associated with 61 microbial species whose abundance collectively accounted for 53% of microbial composition. Low CgA concentrations were seen in individuals with a more diverse microbiome. These results are an important step toward a better understanding of environment-diet-microbe-host interactions.