Microbial Modulation of a Uremic Toxin

Cell Host Microbe. 2016 Dec 14;20(6):691-692. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.11.005.

Abstract

In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Devlin et al. (2016) identify a family of tryptophanases encoded by members of the human gut microbiome and demonstrate that levels of the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate can be modulated in vivo by altering the abundance of bacteria harboring tryptophanase activity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism
  • Biological Evolution
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Diet
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Indican / metabolism*
  • Indican / toxicity*
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Symbiosis
  • Tryptophanase / metabolism
  • Uremia / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Tryptophanase
  • Indican