Site-specialization of human oral Gemella species

Abstract

Gemella species are core members of the human oral microbiome in healthy subjects and are regarded as commensals, although they can cause opportunistic infections. Our objective was to evaluate the site-specialization of Gemella species among various habitats within the mouth by combining pangenomics and metagenomics. With pangenomics, we identified genome relationships and categorized genes as core and accessory to each species. With metagenomics, we identified the primary oral habitat of individual genomes. Our results establish that the genomes of three species, G. haemolysans, G. sanguinis and G. morbillorum, are abundant and prevalent in human mouths at different oral sites: G. haemolysans on buccal mucosa and keratinized gingiva; G. sanguinis on tongue dorsum, throat, and tonsils; and G. morbillorum in dental plaque. The gene-level basis of site-specificity was investigated by identifying genes that were core to Gemella genomes at a specific oral site but absent from other Gemella genomes. The riboflavin biosynthesis pathway was present in G. haemolysans genomes associated with buccal mucosa but absent from the rest of the genomes. Overall, metapangenomics show that Gemella species have clear ecological preferences in the oral cavity of healthy humans and provides an approach to identifying gene-level drivers of site specificity.