The Multikingdom Microbiome: Composition, Communication, and Collective Impact
Holistic Microbiome Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33687/ricosbiol.01.02.104Keywords:
microbiome, microbiota, virome, archaea, quorum sensing, bacteriophage, host-microbe interactions, microbial ecologyAbstract
The concept of a "microbiome" has evolved from a census of bacteria to a holistic framework encompassing the complex community of Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya, and viruses, their collective genomes, and their dynamic interactions within an environmental niche. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the composition and function of multikingdom microbiomes. We begin by defining the modern microbiome, detailing the distinct roles of its cellular constituents from the Three Domains of life. We then explore the critical regulatory influence of the virome, focusing on bacteriophages. The review further examines the sophisticated chemical communication networks, such as quorum sensing, that enable microbial communities to coordinate behavior. Finally, we address the "biomass paradox"—how these minuscule organisms, through their immense collective genetic potential and integrated activity, exert macroscopic influences on host physiology and global biogeochemical cycles. Understanding this intricate ecosystem is fundamental to advancing fields from medicine to environmental science.
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Data Availability Statement
The data supporting the conclusions of this review are derived from previously published studies, which are cited throughout the manuscript. Any aggregated datasets used for comparative analysis, if applicable, are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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