A discrete genetic locus confers xyloglucan metabolism in select human gut Bacteroidetes

DOI: 10.1038/nature12907
PMID: 24463512

Authors: Johan Larsbrink (Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)) , Theresa E. Rogers (University of Michigan Medical School,) , Glyn R. Hemsworth (University of York) , Lauren S. Mckee (Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)) , Alexandra S. Tauzin (University of British Columbia) , Oliver Spadiut (Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)) , Stefan Klinter (Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)) , Nicholas A. Pudlo (University of Michigan Medical School) , Karthik Urs (University of Michigan Medical School) , Nicole M. Koropatkin (University of Michigan Medical School) , A. Louise Creagh (University of British Columbia) , Charles A. Haynes (University of British Columbia) , Amelia G. Kelly (University of Michigan Medical School) , Stefan Nilsson Cederholm (Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)) , Gideon J. Davies (University of York) , Eric C. Martens (University of Michigan Medical School) , Harry Brumer (Royal Institute of Technology (KTH); University of British Columbia)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature

State: Published (Approved)
Published: January 2014

Abstract: The xyloglucans (XyGs) are a ubiquitous family of highly branched plant cell wall polysaccharides5, 6 whose mechanism(s) of degradation in the human gut and consequent importance in nutrition have been unclear1, 7, 8. Here we demonstrate that a single, complex gene locus in Bacteroides ovatus confers XyG catabolism in this common colonic symbiont. Through targeted gene disruption, biochemical analysis of all predicted glycoside hydrolases and carbohydrate-binding proteins, and three-dimensional structural determination of the vanguard endo-xyloglucanase, we reveal the molecular mechanisms through which XyGs are hydrolysed to component monosaccharides for further metabolism

Journal Keywords: Bacteroides; Carbohydrate; Carbohydrate; Cell; Crystallography; X-Ray; Diet; Dietary; Evolution; Molecular; Gastrointestinal; Genetic; Glucans; Glycoside; Humans; Metagenome; Models; Molecular; Phylogeny; Protein; Tertiary; Symbiosis; Xylans

Diamond Keywords: Gut Microbiota; Bacteria; Enzymes

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Chemistry


Instruments: I03-Macromolecular Crystallography

Added On: 31/01/2014 11:17

Discipline Tags:

Health & Wellbeing Biochemistry Chemistry Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Diffraction Macromolecular Crystallography (MX)