biostudies-literatureFranklin DSNIDCR NIH HHSNIAID NIH HHSHHS | NIH | National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)HHS | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)e0340524https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11796344biostudies-literatureUnknown16(2)Many bacteria metabolize ethanolamine as a nutrient source through cytoplasmic organelles named bacterial microcompartments (BMCs). Here we investigated the molecular assembly, regulation, and function of BMCs in <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum-</i>a Gram-negative oral pathobiont that is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The <i>F. nucleatum</i> genome harbors a conserved ethanolamine utilization (<i>eut</i>) locus with 21 genes that encode several putative BMC shell proteins and a two-component signal transduction system (TCS), in addition to the enzymes for ethanolamine transport and catabolism. We show that the expression of most of these genes and BMC formation are highly increased in wild-type fusobacteria when cultured in the presence of ethanolamine as a nutrient source. DeletiomBioEthanolamine-induced assembly of microcompartments is required for <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> virulence.PMC11796344R01 DE026758T90DE030860R21 DE032906T32AI007323T32 AI007323DE032906, DE026758T90 DE030860Zhou ZHTon-That HWittchen MLuu AChen YWhitelegge JPDas AFranklin DSAgnew ATauch AChen Y-WfalseEthanolamine-induced assembly of microcompartments is required for <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> virulence.Many bacteria metabolize ethanolamine as a nutrient source through cytoplasmic organelles named bacterial microcompartments (BMCs). Here we investigated the molecular assembly, regulation, and function of BMCs in <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum-</i>a Gram-negative oral pathobiont that is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The <i>F. nucleatum</i> genome harbors a conserved ethanolamine utilization (<i>eut</i>) locus with 21 genes that encode several putative BMC shell proteins and a two-component signal transduction system (TCS), in addition to the enzymes for ethanolamine transport and catabolism. We show that the expression of most of these genes and BMC formation are highly increased in wild-type fusobacteria when cultured in the presence of ethanolamine as a nutrient source. Deletio2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Feb2025-04-26T01:36:44.682Z2025-04-06T10:15:11.133ZS-EPMC117963443971418810.1128/mbio.03405-24