A bacteriophage-like entry pathway in eukaryotes

Abstract

Small molecules produced by the host microbiota have been hypothesized to influence host physiology. In a recent study, Cohen et al. identified microbial N-acyl amides that mimic human signalling molecules and interact with host G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to regulate gastrointestinal tract physiology. The authors searched the Human Microbiome Project database for genes that encode N-acyl synthases and found that such genes were enriched in the gastrointestinal microbiota. After characterizing the gene products, they found that bacterial and host N-acyl amides that interact with the host GPCR GPR119 share functional and biochemical similarities. Bacterial GPR119 agonists were able to regulate metabolic hormones and glucose homeostasis in mice as efficiently as human agonists. The findings suggest that mimicry of host signalling molecules by the resident microbiota may be a common phenomenon. ORIGINAL ARTICLE Cohen, L. J. et al. Commensal bacteria make GPCR ligands that mimic human signalling molecules. Nature http://dx.