Prevotella are major contributors of sialidases in the human vaginal microbiome.

ABSTRACT: Elevated bacterial sialidase activity in the female genital tract is strongly associated with poor health outcomes including preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis (BV). These negative effects may arise from sialidase-mediated degradation of the protective mucus layer in the cervicovaginal environment. Prior biochemical studies of vaginal bacterial sialidases have focused solely on the BV-associated organism Gardnerella vaginalis. Despite their implications for sexual and reproductive health, sialidases from other vaginal bacteria have not been characterized. Here, we show that vaginal Prevotella species produce sialidases that possess variable activity toward mucin substrates. The sequences of sialidase genes and their presence are largely conserved across clades of Prevot

SUBMITTER: Pelayo P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11388281 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature