Dissecting the in vivo metabolic potential of two human gut acetogens.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Fermenting microbial communities generate hydrogen; its removal through the production of acetate, methane, or hydrogen sulfide modulates the efficiency of energy extraction from available nutrients in many ecosystems. We noted that pathway components for acetogenesis are more abundantly and consistently represented in the gut microbiomes of monozygotic twins and their mothers than components for methanogenesis or sulfate reduction and subsequently analyzed the metabolic potential of two sequenced human gut acetogens, Blautia hydrogenotrophica and Marvinbryantia formatexigens in vitro and in the intestines of gnotobiotic mice harboring a prominent saccharolytic bacterium. To do so, we developed a generally applicable method for multiplex sequencing of expressed microbial mRNAs (microbial RNA-Seq) and, together with mass spectrometry of metabolites, showed that these organisms have distinct patterns of substrate utilization. B. hydrogenotrophica targets aliphatic and aromatic amino acids. It increases the efficiency of fermentation by consuming reducing equivalents, thereby maintaining a high NAD(+)/NADH ratio and boosting acetate production. In contrast, M. formatexigens consumes oligosaccharides, does not impact the redox state of the gut, and boosts the yield of succinate. These findings have strategic implications for those who wish to manipulate the hydrogen economy of gut microbial communities in ways that modulate energy harvest.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Rey, FE; Faith, JJ; Bain, J; Muehlbauer, MJ; Stevens, RD; Newgard, CB; Gordon, JI
Published Date
- July 16, 2010
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 285 / 29
Start / End Page
- 22082 - 22090
PubMed ID
- 20444704
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC2903421
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1083-351X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1074/jbc.M110.117713
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States