gut microbiota
Invertebrate MicrobiologyEstablished Cotton Stainer Gut Bacterial Mutualists Evade Regulation by Host Antimicrobial PeptidesAnimal immune systems are central for the protection of hosts against enemies by preventing or eliminating successful infections. However, in the presence of beneficial bacterial mutualists, the immune system must strike a balance of not killing the beneficial symbionts while at the same time preventing enemy attacks. Here, using the cotton stainer bug, we reveal that its long-term associated bacterial symbionts are insensitive to the...
Public and Environmental Health Microbiology | SpotlightCommensal Escherichia coli Aggravates Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis through Targeting of Intestinal Epithelial CellsThis study describes the harmful potential of commensal E. coli in ANP, which has not been demonstrated in previous studies. Our work provides new insights into gut bacterium-ANP cross talk, suggesting that nonpathogenic commensals could also exhibit adverse effects in the context of diseases.
Food MicrobiologyPrebiotic Supplementation of In Vitro Fecal Fermentations Inhibits Proteolysis by Gut Bacteria, and Host Diet Shapes Gut Bacterial Metabolism and Response to InterventionDietary protein intake is high in Western populations, which could result in potentially harmful metabolites in the gut from proteolysis. In an in vitro fermentation model, the addition of prebiotics reduced the negative consequences of high protein levels. Supplementation with a prebiotic resulted in a reduction of proteolytic metabolites in the model. A difference was seen in protein fermentation between omnivore and...
Enzymology and Protein EngineeringTwo Novel α-l-Arabinofuranosidases from Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Belonging to Glycoside Hydrolase Family 43 Cooperatively Degrade ArabinanWe identified two novel α-l-arabinofuranosidases, BlArafC and BlArafB, from B. longum subsp. longum JCM 1217, both of which are predicted to be extracellular membrane-bound enzymes. The former specifically acts on α1,2/3-l-arabinofuranosyl linkages, while the latter acts on the α1,5-l-...
Microbial EcologyThe Mode of Action of Chicory Roots on Skatole Production in Entire Male Pigs Is neither via Reducing the Population of Skatole-Producing Bacteria nor via Increased Butyrate Production in the HindgutCastration is practiced to avoid the development of boar taint, which negatively affects the taste and odor of pork, and undesirable aggressive behavior. Due to animal welfare issues, alternatives to surgical castration are sought, though. Boar taint is a result of high concentrations of skatole and androstenone in back fat. Skatole is produced by microbial fermentation in the large intestine, and therefore, its production can be...
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyChlortetracycline Enhances Tonsil Colonization and Fecal Shedding of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium DT104 without Major Alterations to the Porcine Tonsillar and Intestinal MicrobiotaSalmonella spp. are an important cause of foodborne illness in North America, and pork products are associated with sporadic cases and outbreaks of human salmonellosis. Isolates of Salmonella may be resistant to multiple antibiotics, and infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella spp. are more difficult to treat, leading to increased...
Microbial EcologyGut Microbial Divergence between Two Populations of the Hadal Amphipod Hirondellea gigasThe taxonomic composition and functional potential of animal gut microbiota in deep-sea environments remain largely unknown. Here, by performing comparative metagenomics, we suggest that the gut microbial compositions of two Hirondellea gigas populations from the Mariana Trench and the Japan Trench have undergone significant divergence. Through analyses of functional...
Microbial EcologyMetagenomic Insights into the Degradation of Resistant Starch by Human Gut MicrobiotaManipulation of gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as a promising approach to reduce various noncommunicable diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Specific dietary supplements, including resistant starches (RS), are often a focus, yet comprehensive insights into functional responses of microbiota are largely lacking. Furthermore, unresponsiveness in certain individuals is poorly understood. Our data indicate that...
Food MicrobiologyProbiotic Product Enhances Susceptibility of Mice to CryptosporidiosisThe results of our study show that C. parvum responded to changes in the intestinal microenvironment induced by a nutritional supplement. This outcome paves the way for research to identify nutritional interventions aimed at limiting the impact of cryptosporidiosis.
- Microbial EcologyImpaired Autophagy in Intestinal Epithelial Cells Alters Gut Microbiota and Host Immune Responses
The homeostasis of host-microbiota interactions is of great importance to host health. Previous studies demonstrated that disruption of autophagy was linked to inflammatory bowel disease. However, the interaction mechanism of gut microbiota regulated by autophagy was obscure. In an intestinal epithelium-specific autophagy-related 5 (Atg5) knockout mouse model, we observed a significant alteration and decreased diversity in the...