Superresolution imaging captures carbohydrate utilization dynamics in human gut symbionts.

ABSTRACT:

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Gut microbes play a key role in human health and nutrition by catabolizing a wide variety of glycans via enzymatic activities that are not encoded in the human genome. The ability to recognize and process carbohydrates strongly influences the structure of the gut microbial community. While the effects of diet on the microbiota are well documented, little is known about the molecular processes driving metabolism. To provide mechanistic insight into carbohydrate catabolism in gut symbionts, we studied starch processing in real time in the model Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron starch utilization system (Sus) by single-molecule fluorescence. Although previous studies have explored Sus protein structure and function, the transient interactions, assembly, and collaboration of the

SUBMITTER: Karunatilaka KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4235215 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature