Regulobiosis: A regulatory and food system-sensitive role for fungal symbionts in human evolution and ecobiology.

Ju-Sheng Zheng, Mark L Wahlqvist

Journal: Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition 2021;29(1):9-15

PMID: 32229436

Abstract

The role of microbiomes in human biology and health are being extensively investigated, yet how the fungal community or mycobiome contributes to an integral microbiome is unclear and probably underestimated. We review the roles of fungi from the perspectives of their functionality in human biology, their cross-kingdom talk with other human microbial organisms, their dependence on diet and their involvement in human health and diseases. We hypothesize that members of the fungal community may interact as necessary symbionts with members of other human microbiome communities, and play a key role in human biology, yet to be fully understood. We propose further that "regulobiosis", whereby fungi play a regulatory role in human ecobiology, is operative in humans as probably obtains in other forms of life. Fungally-dependent regulobiosis would characterise, at first, microbiomes which include, but are not limited to, bacteria, archaea, and viruses; then, their human host; and, next, provide ecological connectedness.

Address: School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China. Email: [email protected].; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.; Institute of Nutrition and Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.; Institute for Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan, ROC.; Monash Asia institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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