Gut Microbiota Regulation of Tryptophan Metabolism in Health and Disease

• Published in: Cell host & microbe Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 716 - 724
• Main Authors: Agus, Allison, Planchais, Julien, Sokol, Harry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 13.06.2018
• Subjects: AhR; autism; Autistic Disorder - metabolism; Autistic Disorder - microbiology; cerative colitis; Colitis - metabolism; Communicable Diseases - metabolism; Crohn disease; Crohn Disease - metabolism; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - physiology; Gastrointestinal Tract - immunology; Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology; Gastrointestinal Tract - physiology; gut microbiota; Humans; IBD; Indoles - metabolism; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - metabolism; kynurenine; Kynurenine - metabolism; Life Sciences; Metabolic Syndrome - metabolism; Metabolic Syndrome - microbiology; Obesity - metabolism; serotonin; Serotonin - metabolism; Short Bowel Syndrome - metabolism; Short Bowel Syndrome - microbiology; Tryptophan - metabolism; Crohn disease; serotonin; tryptophan metabolism; AhR; kynurenine; IBD; gut microbiota; autism; cerative colitis
• ISSN: 1931-3128; 1934-6069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2018.05.003

The gut microbiota is a crucial actor in human physiology. Many of these effects are mediated by metabolites that are either produced by the microbes or derived from the transformation of environmental or host molecules. Among the array of metabolites at the interface between these microorganisms and the host is the essential aromatic amino acid tryptophan (Trp). In the gut, the three major Trp metabolism pathways leading to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), kynurenine (Kyn), and indole derivatives are under the direct or indirect control of the microbiota. In this review, we gather the most recent advances concerning the central role of Trp metabolism in microbiota-host crosstalk in health and disease. Deciphering the complex equilibrium between these pathways will facilitate a better understanding of the pathogenesis of human diseases and open therapeutic opportunities. Many metabolites are involved in host-microbiota interactions. Agus et al. review recent advances concerning the central role of tryptophan metabolism in microbiota-host crosstalk in health and disease. This review examines the direct effect of the gut microbiota in producing tryptophan-derived bioactive molecules and its indirect control of host tryptophan metabolism.