Biochemical and structural basis of sialic acid utilization by gut microbes

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102989

Authors: Andrew Bell (Quadram Institute Bioscience) , Emmanuele Severi (Newcastle University) , C. David Owen (Diamond Light Source) , Dimitrios Latousakis (Quadram Institute Bioscience) , Nathalie Juge (Quadram Institute Bioscience)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Journal Of Biological Chemistry , VOL 10

State: Published (Approved)
Published: February 2023

Abstract: The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbours diverse microbial communities collectively known as the gut microbiota which exert a profound impact on human health and disease. The repartition and availability of sialic acid derivatives in the gut have a significant impact on the modulation of gut microbes and host susceptibility to infection and inflammation. Although N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) is the main form of sialic acids in humans, the sialic acid family regroups more than 50 structurally and chemically distinct modified derivatives. In the GI tract, sialic acids are found in the terminal location of mucin glycan chains constituting the mucus layer but also come from human milk oligosaccharides in the infant gut or from meat-based foods in adults. The repartition of sialic acid in the GI tract influences the gut microbiota composition and pathogen colonization. In this review, we provide an update on the mechanisms underpinning sialic acid utilization by gut microbes, focusing on sialidases, transporters, and metabolic enzymes.

Journal Keywords: Gut Microbiota; Bacteria

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Chemistry


Technical Areas:

Added On: 13/02/2023 10:52

Documents:
PIIS0021925823001217.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Health & Wellbeing Biochemistry Chemistry Structural biology Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags: