Data for: Gut microbial composition and diversity vary by CREBRF genotype among Samoan infants

Over 40% of Samoans have at least one copy of the minor A allele at
rs373863828 in CREB3 regulatory factor (CREBRF), which is associated with
increased BMI but decreased odds of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The
mechanisms underlying this paradoxical effect remain unknown. We
hypothesized that gut microbiota may play a role and examined associations
between CREBRF genotype and gut microbial diversity and composition among
Samoan infants. Fecal samples were collected from Samoan infants
aged 0 (n=23), 4 (n=20), and 21 (n=27) months. Microbiota community
structure was analyzed using 16S rRNA bacterial gene
sequencing. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses
revealed no associations between CREBRF genotype and overall microbiome
composition or diversity at 0 or 4 months. Cross-sectional analysis at 21
months revealed a significant association between genotype and unweighted
UniFrac distances (F1,24=1.855, R2=0.072, p=0.015). Longitudinal
differential abundance analysis also revealed several differentially
abundant taxa at 21 months. Notably, the AG genotype was associated with
lower relative abundance of Escherichia Shigella (β=-6.741, SE=2.243,
p=.004, q=.042). Significant genotype differences in gut microbiome
composition and diversity at 21 months suggest that gut microbiota may be
involved in relationships between CREBRF genotype and metabolic health. No
genotype differences were observed at 0 or 4 months, suggesting that
environmental and/or maternal variables have a greater influence on the
gut microbiome in early infancy, and genotype effects emerge later.
Further research should examine whether genotype differences in gut
microbiota are associated with functional differences in metabolic or
immune signaling pathways or energy extraction.