Emerging chemophysiological diversity of gut microbiota metabolites

Xiaorong Lin; Kaixin He; Zhen Gu; Xiaohui Zhao

doi:10.1016/j.tips.2024.07.006

Emerging chemophysiological diversity of gut microbiota metabolites

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2024 Sep;45(9):824-838. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.07.006. Epub 2024 Aug 10.

Authors

Xiaorong Lin¹, Kaixin He², Zhen Gu³, Xiaohui Zhao⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
² College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, Zhejiang, China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
³ College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, Zhejiang, China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China; Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
⁴ College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China; Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University, Jinhua 321299, Zhejiang, China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39129061
DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.07.006

Abstract

Human physiology is profoundly influenced by the gut microbiota, which generates a wide array of metabolites. These microbiota-derived compounds serve as signaling molecules, interacting with various cellular targets in the gastrointestinal tract and distant organs, thereby impacting our immune, metabolic, and neurobehavioral systems. Recent advancements have unveiled unique physiological functions of diverse metabolites derived from tryptophan (Trp) and bile acids (BAs). This review highlights the emerging chemophysiological diversity of these metabolites and discusses the role of chemical and biological tools in analyzing and therapeutically manipulating microbial metabolism and host targets, with the aim of bridging the chemical diversity with physiological complexity in host-microbe molecular interactions.

Keywords: bile acids; chemical physiology; gut microbiota; microbial metabolism; microbial therapy; tryptophan metabolites.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Bile Acids and Salts* / metabolism
Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / physiology
Humans
Tryptophan* / metabolism

Substances

Bile Acids and Salts
Tryptophan