Human gut Bacteroidetes can utilize yeast mannan through a selfish mechanism.

  • Fiona C
  • C. L
  • J. T
  • et al.
ISSN: 0028-0836
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Abstract

Yeasts, which have been a component of the human diet for at least 7,000 years, possess an elaborate cell wall [alpha]-mannan. The influence of yeast mannan on the ecology of the human microbiota is unknown. Here we show that yeast [alpha]-mannan is a viable food source for the Gram-negative bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a dominant member of the microbiota. Detailed biochemical analysis and targeted gene disruption studies support a model whereby limited cleavage of [alpha]-mannan on the surface generates large oligosaccharides that are subsequently depolymerized to mannose by the action of periplasmic enzymes. Co-culturing studies showed that metabolism of yeast mannan by B. thetaiotaomicron presents a 'selfish' model for the catabolism of this difficult to breakdown polysaccharide. Genomic comparison with B. thetaiotaomicron in conjunction with cell culture studies show that a cohort of highly successful members of the microbiota has evolved to consume sterically-restricted yeast glycans, an adaptation that may reflect the incorporation of eukaryotic microorganisms into the human diet.

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Fiona, C., C., L. E., J., T. M., Yanping, Z., A., C. E., & A., P. N. (2015). Human gut Bacteroidetes can utilize yeast mannan through a selfish mechanism. Nature, 517(7533), 165–169.

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