Distinct classes of gut bacterial molybdenum-dependent enzymes produce urolithins.

ABSTRACT: Urolithin A is an anti-aging and anti-inflammatory gut bacterial metabolite derived from ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenol abundant in berries and nuts. The conversion of EA to urolithin A involves multiple chemically challenging phenol dehydroxylation steps that produce urolithins with varying bioactivities. Despite their biological and chemical significance, the bacterial enzymes responsible for urolithin production remain largely unidentified. Here, we use differential gene expression analysis, anaerobic protein production, and enzyme assays to identify members of two distinct molybdenum enzyme families (the DMSO reductase family and the xanthine oxidase family) capable of regioselective dehydroxylation and urolithin generation. These two enzyme families have distinct substrate requiremen

SUBMITTER: Bae M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12771579 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature