Prevotella copri is a prevalent inhabitant of the human gut and has been associated with plant-rich diet consumption and diverse health states. The underlying genetic basis of these associations remains enigmatic due to the lack of genetic tools. Here, we developed a novel versatile genetic toolbox for rapid and efficient genetic insertion and allelic exchange applicable to P. copri strains from multiple clades. Enabled by the genetic platform, we systematically investigated the specificity of polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) and identified four highly conserved PULs for utilizing arabinan, pectic galactan, arabinoxylan, and inulin, respectively. Further genetic and functional analysis of arabinan utilization systems illustrate that P. copri has evolved two distinct types of arabinan-processing PULs (PUL^Ara) and that the type-II PUL^Ara is significantly enriched in individuals consuming a vegan diet compared to other diets. In summary, this genetic toolbox will enable functional genetic studies for P. copri in future.

中文翻译：

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Prevotella copri 的多功能遗传工具箱使研究多糖利用系统成为可能

Prevotella copri是一种普遍存在于人类肠道中的细菌，并且与富含植物的饮食消费和不同的健康状况有关。由于缺乏遗传工具，这些关联的潜在遗传基础仍然是个谜。在这里，我们开发了一种新型多功能遗传工具箱，用于快速有效的遗传插入和等位基因交换，适用于来自多个进化枝的P. copri菌株。在遗传平台的支持下，我们系统地研究了多糖利用位点 (PUL) 的特异性，并确定了四个高度保守的 PUL，分别用于利用阿拉伯聚糖、果胶半乳聚糖、阿拉伯木聚糖和菊粉。阿拉伯聚糖利用系统的进一步遗传和功能分析表明，P. copri已经进化出两种不同类型的阿拉伯聚糖加工 PUL (PUL ^Ara )，与其他饮食相比，II 型 PUL ^Ara在纯素饮食的个体中显着丰富。总之，这个遗传工具箱将在未来对P. copri进行功能遗传研究。