Bacterial carbohydrate transporters and metabolic enzymes in gut microbiota

Bacterial carbohydrate transporters and metabolic enzymes in the gut microbiota represent a complex network of proteins responsible for the breakdown and uptake of complex dietary polysaccharides that human enzymes cannot digest (Lombard et al., 2014). This group includes glycoside hydrolases, polysaccharide lyases, and carbohydrate esterases, often organized into Polysaccharide Utilization Loci (PULs), as well as specialized transport systems like the Phosphotransferase System (PTS) and ABC transporters (Grondin et al., 2017). By fermenting these carbohydrates, the microbiota produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate and propionate, which are crucial for host energy homeostasis and immune regulation (Koh et al., 2016). Dysregulation of these metabolic pathways is linked to various conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease (Turnbaugh et al., 2006). Therapeutic strategies targeting these enzymes and transporters aim to modulate the gut environment, either through small-molecule inhibitors like acarbose or through the use of prebiotics that selectively favor beneficial bacterial taxa (DiNicolantonio et al., 2015). Understanding the specificity of these bacterial targets is essential for developing precision microbiome-based therapies that minimize off-target effects on the host or beneficial commensal species.

Other names

Gut microbial carbohydrate-active enzymesCAZymesPolysaccharide utilization lociPULsBacterial glycoside hydrolasesMicrobial phosphotransferase systemsBacterial ABC transporters

Modulation of gut microbiota metabolic activity through the inhibition of bacterial glycoside hydrolases or the selective substrate provision to transporters, resulting in altered production of short-chain fatty acids and improved host glycemic control.