Project description:To understand transcriptional regulation of Eubacterium limosum KIST612 across different carbon/energy/electron sources, RNAseq analysis was carried out over different substrate conditions (glucose, CO, H2/CO2).
Project description:Eubacterium limosum ATCC 8486 makes acetate and butyrate from various substrates and is found in the human intestine. The proteome of choline -grown Eubacterium limosum was obtained in order to identify enzymes required for growth on choline, in particular to identify components that are unique to growth on choline in comparison to other substrates for acetogenesis, such as lactic acid, L-carnitine, or proline betaine. Choline is converted to trimethylamine (TMA) by certain members of the gut microbiome. Subsequent liver metabolism of TMA is now tied to progression of cardiovascular disease. Demethylation of choline is observed during growth of Eubacterium limosum on this substrate, and does not produce TMA. Choline demethylation by organisms like Eubacterium limosum could lessen TMA production in the gut, thereby lessening the propensity towards atherosclerosis caused by metabolism of TMA in the body. This proteome led to discovery of a phosphocholine:tetrahydrofolate methyltransferase system. The key choline demethylating enzyme is a member of the widespread TMA methyltransferase protein superfamily.