Analysis of chondroitin degradation by components of a Bacteroides caccae polysaccharide utilization locus.

ABSTRACT: The human gut microbiota (HGM) possesses an enormously diverse capacity to metabolize both host and dietary glycans. Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are complex polysaccharides that may be in the diet (e.g., from animal products) or may be presented by host tissues. These polysaccharides are known to be prioritized as a nutrient source by some members of the HGM. While significant advances in understanding how GAGs are metabolized by the HGM have been made, the varied architectures of the numerous polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) targeting varied polysaccharides suggest that all the mechanisms of GAG degradation may not have been uncovered. Here we show that components of a (PUL) from Bacteroides caccae have activities consistent with comprising a unique pathway for depolymerization of chon

SUBMITTER: Alvarez B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12269599 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature