Identification of Rothia bacteria as gluten-degrading natural colonizers of the upper gastro-intestinal tract.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gluten proteins, prominent constituents of barley, wheat and rye, cause celiac disease in genetically predisposed subjects. Gluten is notoriously difficult to digest by mammalian proteolytic enzymes and the protease-resistant domains contain multiple immunogenic epitopes. The aim of this study was to identify novel sources of gluten-digesting microbial enzymes from the upper gastro-intestinal tract with the potential to neutralize gluten epitopes.

Methodology/principal findings

Oral microorganisms with gluten-degrading capacity were obtained by a selective plating strategy using gluten agar. Microbial speciations were carried out by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Enzyme activities were assessed using gliadin-derived enzymatic substrates, gliadins in solution, gliadin z

SUBMITTER: Zamakhchari M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3177827 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature