Systematic genomic analysis reveals the complementary aerobic and anaerobic respiration capacities of the human gut microbiota.

ABSTRACT: Because of the specific anatomical and physiological properties of the human intestine, a specific oxygen gradient builds up within this organ that influences the intestinal microbiota. The intestinal microbiome has been intensively studied in recent years, and certain respiratory substrates used by gut inhabiting microbes have been shown to play a crucial role in human health. Unfortunately, a systematic analysis has not been previously performed to determine the respiratory capabilities of human gut microbes (HGM). Here, we analyzed the distribution of aerobic and anaerobic respiratory reductases in 254 HGM genomes. In addition to the annotation of known enzymes, we also predicted a novel microaerobic reductase and novel thiosulfate reductase. Based on this comprehensive assessment of re

SUBMITTER: Ravcheev DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4257093 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature