Enterobacteriaceae and diet drive gut microbial dominance
Researchers found that diet alone does not explain why some people have Prevotellaceae-dominant gut microbiomes while others have Bacteroidaceae-dominant ones. Using synthetic gut communities, they showed that Enterobacteriaceae, such as E. coli, synergize with specific dietary fibers like arabinan to help Segatella copri outcompete Bacteroidaceae. This interaction helps explain why Prevotellaceae-rich microbiomes are common in non-industrialized populations with plant-rich diets.