Bacterial metabolism of tryptophan causes toxicity in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> that is alleviated by sugar supplementation.

ABSTRACT: Tryptophan is an essential amino acid required not only for protein biosynthesis but also for the production of several physiologically important metabolites, including serotonin, kynurenine, and nicotinamide. Although dietary tryptophan is associated with various health benefits, excessive intake can result in adverse physiological effects. The specific tryptophan-derived metabolites responsible for such toxicity, however, remain incompletely characterized. Here, we investigate the mechanisms underlying tryptophan-induced toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans. We observe that tryptophan concentrations of 1 mM or higher are highly toxic to C. elegans, blocking egg hatching. Notably, supplementation with various sugars, including glucose, fructose, mannose, galactose, rhamnose, a

SUBMITTER: Gahlot S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12637592 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature