Microbial Metabolic Networks at the Mucus Layer Lead to Diet-Independent Butyrate and Vitamin B 12 Production by Intestinal Symbionts

• Published in: mBio Vol. 8; no. 5
• Main Authors: Belzer, Clara, Chia, Loo Wee, Aalvink, Steven, Chamlagain, Bhawani, Piironen, Vieno, Knol, Jan, de Vos, Willem M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 08.11.2017
• Subjects: Bacteria, Anaerobic - growth & development; Bacteria, Anaerobic - metabolism; Butyrates - metabolism; Colon - microbiology; Diet; Eubacterium - metabolism; Faecalibacterium - metabolism; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - physiology; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa - microbiology; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Microbial Interactions; Mucus - metabolism; Mucus - microbiology; Polysaccharides - biosynthesis; Polysaccharides - metabolism; Propionates - metabolism; Propylene Glycol - metabolism; Symbiosis; Vitamin B 12 - biosynthesis; cross-feeding; intestine; butyrate; Akkermansia muciniphila; anaerobes; microbiome; syntrophy; mucus

Akkermansia muciniphila has evolved to specialize in the degradation and utilization of host mucus, which it may use as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Mucus degradation and fermentation by A. muciniphila are known to result in the liberation of oligosaccharides and subsequent production of...