Amino acid metabolism in intestinal bacteria: links between gut ecology and host health (original) (raw)

IMR Press / FBL / Volume 16 / Issue 5 / DOI: 10.2741/3820

Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (FBL) is published by IMR Press from Volume 26 Issue 5 (2021). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with Frontiers in Bioscience.

Article

Amino acid metabolism in intestinal bacteria: links between gut ecology and host health

Affiliation

1 Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

2 Guoyao Wu, Department of Animal Science, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA

3 State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China

Published: 1 January 2011

Abstract

Bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract play an important role in the metabolism of dietary substances in the gut and extraintestinal tissues. Amino acids (AA) should be taken into consideration in the development of new strategies to enhance efficiency of nutrient utilization because they are not only major components in the diet and building blocks for protein but also regulate energy and protein homeostasis in organisms. The diversity of the AA-fermenting bacteria and their metabolic redundancy make them easier to survive and interact with their neighboring species or eukaryotic host during transition along GI tract. The outcomes of the interactions have important impacts on gut health and whole-body homeostasis. The AA-derived molecules produced by intestinal bacteria affect host health by regulating either host immunity and cell function or microbial composition and metabolism. Emerging evidence shows that dietary factors, such as protein, non-digestible carbohydrates, probiotics, synbiotics and phytochemicals, modulate AA utilization by gut microorganisms. Interdisciplinary research involving nutritionists and microbiologists is expected to rapidly expand knowledge about crucial roles for AA in gut ecology and host health.

Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) Print ISSN 2768-6701 Electronic ISSN 2768-6698

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