Characterization and detection of a widely distributed gene cluster that predicts anaerobic choline utilization by human gut bacteria.

ABSTRACT:

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Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the human gut microbiota's effects on health and disease has been complicated by difficulties in linking metabolic functions associated with the gut community as a whole to individual microorganisms and activities. Anaerobic microbial choline metabolism, a disease-associated metabolic pathway, exemplifies this challenge, as the specific human gut microorganisms responsible for this transformation have not yet been clearly identified. In this study, we established the link between a bacterial gene cluster, the choline utilization (cut) cluster, and anaerobic choline metabolism in human gut isolates by combining transcriptional, biochemical, bioinformatic, and cultivation-based approaches. Quantitative reverse transcriptio

SUBMITTER: Martinez-del Campo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4453576 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature