Enhancing effects of bile salts on the degradation of glycosphingolipids by glycosidases from bacteria of the human fecal flora

Different concentrations of ionic and non-ionic detergents were examined for optimization of the in vitro degradations of intestinal glycosphingolipids by alpha- and beta-glycosidases from human fecal bacteria. In 5 mM Triton X-100 the enzymes hydrolyzed glycosphingolipids with lactoseries type 1 and 2 chains essentially to lactosylceramide (LacCer). In 5 mM sodium di- and trihydroxy bile salts lactosylceramide was degraded to glycosylceramide (GlcCer) in varying extent by enzymes from all five strains. The minimal bile salt concentrations for optimal 1,4-beta-galactosidase activities varied between 1 and 20 mM, i.e., close to or above the critical micellar concentrations (cmc). Dihydroxy bile salts were the most efficient in promoting conversion of LacCer to GlcCer at concentrations below 10 mM and conjugation with a taurine residue did not markedly lower the GlcCer yield. The optimal detergent concentrations for hydrolyses of the p-nitrophenyl (pnp) glycosides Gal beta 1-pnp and GalNAc alpha 1-pnp were approximately 0.05 mM for Triton X-100 and 0.5 mM for sodium taurodeoxycholate, i.e., clearly below their reported cmc values. Galabiosylceramide, globotria- and globotetraosylceramides, not degraded in the Triton X-100 micelles, were also resistant to hydrolysis using the sodium bile salts as detergents. In contrast, lactotetraosylceramide and isoglobotriaosylceramide were significantly more degraded by enzymes from a Ruminococcus gnavus strain and gangliotetraosylceramide by enzymes from a Bifidobacterium bifidum and a Bifidobacterium infantis strain using bile salt detergents. All strains but R. gnavus released terminal GalNAc from para-Forssman but not from the globotetraosylceramide or Forssman structures using 5 mM sodium deoxycholate as detergent. GM1 desialylation by two Ruminococcus torques strains and the R. gnavus and B. bifidum strains were enhanced under identical conditions. We conclude that the observed effects on glycosphingolipid hydrolyses reflects variations in the micellar presentation of the substrates. In addition, detergents seem to have a direct stimulating effect on the glycosidases, however at concentrations 10-100-times below the ones optimal for glycolipid degradations. These results with optimized bile salt concentrations, further support our previous observations that these five fecal bacterial strains produce enzymes with selected specificities towards glycosphingolipid core chains of the lactoseries type 1 and 2.     

Bacteria of the human intestinal microbiota produce glycosidases specific for lacto-series glycosphingolipids

Five strains of human fecal bacteria, of the Ruminococcus and Bifidobacterium genera, produce extracellular alpha- and beta-glycosidases that degrade intestinal mucin oligosaccharides and glycosphingolipids of the lacto-series type 1 chain. We have tested the activities and substrate specificities of these enzymes using para-nitrophenyl glycosides and glycosphingolipids of different core chains (lacto, neolacto, globo, isoglobo, galabio, and ganglio), carrying different blood group determinants (A, H, X, Y, Forssman, and para-Forssman), and with different degrees of sialylation (mono- to tetra-sialo). Lactotetraosylceramide and neolactotetraosylceramide were the only core glycosphingolipids degraded by enzymes from these strains, resulting in lactosylceramide and glucosylceramide as the major end products. R. gnavus strain VI-268 did not degrade lactotetraosylceramide but only neolactotetraosylceramide yielding lactotriaosylceramide and lactosylceramide as the major end products. All strains but R. gnavus VI-268 also produced lactosylceramide from a bi-antennary 10-sugar glycosphingolipid with two blood group H determinants based on a lactotetraosylceramide core. Apart from strain specific blood group A-degrading (R. torques strain VIII-239 and IX-70, R. gnavus strain VI-268 and B. infantis VIII-240) and Forssman-degrading (R. torques VIII-239 and IX-70) activities, all strains also degraded the H-5, X-5, and Y-6 glycosphingolipids. All strains released N-acetylneuraminic acid from the gangliosides sialosyl-neolactotetraosylceramide, GD3, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b, and GQ1b corresponding to 2,3-alpha- and 2,8-alpha-N-acetylneuraminidase activities. The R. torques strains VIII-239 and IX-70 also partially desialylated GM1 to lactotetraosylceramide. The para-nitrophenyl glycoside degradations were often incompatible with the data from the glycosphingolipids degradations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Iodothyronine sulfate-hydrolyzing anaerobic bacteria isolated from human fecal flora

Abstract 23 Bacterial strains isolated from human fecal flora were screened for hydrolysis of iodothyronine sulfates. Three obligate anaerobic bacterial strains possessed sulfatase activity. Two strains were identified as Peptostreptococcus productus , the other strain probably belonged to the genus Eubacterium or Lachnospira . In anaerobic incubations with growing bacteria up to 78% of the iodothyronine sulfates were deconjugated in 24 h. Hydrolysis was dependent on the bacterial strains and on the iodothyronine sulfates tested. This study extents previous observations of similar iodothyronine sulfatase activities associated with bacteria from rat intestinal microflora [5]. By analogy, hydrolysis of iodothyronine sulfates by anaerobic bacteria from human intestinal microflora probably represents an exo-enzymatic process.     

乳酸菌胞外多糖对人类肠道菌群的影响

胞外多糖(EPS)是微生物在生长代谢过程中分泌到细胞壁外及周围生长介质中的一类生物大分子物质。乳酸菌胞外多糖除了具有重要的加工优势外,如提高酸奶等乳制品的粘度、质地和口感,还具有重要的生理活性。本文重点介绍了乳酸菌胞外多糖的分类和主要生物活性,并从胞外多糖的益生元特性、作为肠道能源物质、对肠道细胞的粘附、调节肠道菌群多样性、调节肠道免疫五个方面综述了乳酸菌胞外多糖对人类肠道菌群的影响,同时对胞外多糖的后续研究提出了自己的建议。     

乳酸菌胞外多糖对人类肠道菌群的影响

摘要：胞外多糖（EPS）是微生物在生长代谢过程中分泌到细胞壁外及周围生长介质中的一类生物大分子物质。乳酸菌胞外多糖除了具有重要的加工优势外,如提高酸奶等乳制品的粘度、质地和口感,还具有重要的生理活性。本文重点介绍了乳酸菌胞外多糖的分类和主要生物活性,并从胞外多糖的益生元特性、作为肠道能源物质、对肠道细胞的粘附、调节肠道菌群多样性、调节肠道免疫五个方面综述了乳酸菌胞外多糖对人类肠道菌群的影响,同时对胞外多糖的后续研究提出了自己的建议。     

Reduction of 17-keto steroids by anaerobic microorganisms isolated from human fecal flora

The 17-keto function of phenolic steroids is reduced by the following intestinal bacteria: Eubacterium lentum, Clostridium paraputrificum, Clostridium J-1 and Clostridium innocuum. The 17-keto group of androstenedione is reduced solely by Bacteroides fragilis.     

Hydrolysis of iodothyronine sulfates by sulfatase activity of anaerobic bacteria from the rat intestinal flora

Abstract 2 Obligately anaerobic bacteria isolated from rat cecal flora have previously been shown to possess sulfatase activity towards 3,3'-diiodothyronine sulfate [5]. These strains have now been tested for their ability to hydrolyze the sulfate conjugates of other iodothyronines, including the thyroid hormones thyroxine and 3,3',5-triiodothyronine. In anaerobic incubations at 37°C with approximately 10⁷ bacteria per ml, variable amounts of the conjugated substrates, ranging from 15–90%, were hydrolysed in 24 h. These results showed a potent iodothyronine sulfate hydrolysing capacity of rat intestinal microflora. The strains were characterized by carbohydrate fermentation tests. One strain belonged to the genus Lactobacillus , the other strain probably to Eubacterium or Lachnospira .     

Protein degradation by human intestinal bacteria

Analysis of human gut contents showed that substantial quantities of soluble protein, ammonia and branched chain volatile fatty acids occurred throughout the large intestine [0.1-24.4 g (kg contents)-1, 7.7-66.0 mmol (kg contents)-1 and 1.5-11.1 mmol (kg contents)-1 respectively]. The presence of these metabolites suggested that substantial proteolysis was occurring. In vitro studies showed that casein and bovine serum albumin were partly degraded in slurries of human faeces over a 96 h incubation period, to produce TCA-soluble peptides, ammonia and volatile fatty acids. Proteolytic activity detected in the stools of five individuals ranged from 3.5 to 19.8 mg azocasein hydrolysed h-1 (g faecal material)-1. Washed cell and washed particulate faecal fractions accounted for 24-67% of total activity. The predominant proteolytic bacteria in the faecal samples examined were identified as Bacteroides spp. [1.0 X 10(11)-1.3 X 10(12) (g dry wt faeces)-1] and Propionibacterium spp. [1.2 X 10(8)-1.0 X 10(10) (g dry wt faeces)-1]. Other proteolytic bacteria which occurred in lesser numbers were identified as belonging to the genera Streptococcus, Clostridium, Bacillus and Staphylococcus. These results demonstrate that the gut microflora could potentially play a major role in proteolysis in the human colon.     

Identification of bilirubin reduction products formed by Clostridium perfringens isolated from human neonatal fecal flora

Urobilinoids belong to the heterogenous group of degradation products of bilirubin formed in the gastrointestinal tract by intestinal microflora. Among them urobilinogen and stercobilinogen with their respective oxidation products, urobilin and stercobilin, are the most important compounds. The aim of present study was to analyze the products of bacterial reduction of bilirubin in more detail. The strain of Clostridium perfringens isolated from neonatal stools, capable of reducing bilirubin, was used in the study. Bacteria were incubated under anaerobic conditions with various native as well as synthetic bile pigments, including radiolabeled unconjugated bilirubin (UCB). Their reduction products were extracted from media and separated following thin layer chromatography. Pigments isolated were analyzed by spectrophotometry, spectrofluorometry and mass spectrometry. In a special set of experiments, bilirubin diglucuronide was incubated with either bacterial lysate or partially purified bilirubin reductase and beta-glucuronidase to reveal whether bilirubin glucuronides may be directly reduced onto conjugated urobilinoids. A broad substrate activity was detected in the investigated strain of C. perfringens and a series of bilirubin reduction products was identified. These products were separated in the form of their respective chromogens and further oxidized. Based on their physical-chemical properties, as well as mass spectra, end-catabolic bilirubin products were identified to belong to urobilinogen species. The reduction process, catalyzed enzymatically by the studied bacterial strain, does not proceed to stercobilinogen. Bilirubin diglucuronide is not reduced onto urobilinoid conjugates, glucuronide hydrolysis must precede double bond reduction and thus UCB is reduced much faster.     

中药金汁和粪菌移植液的菌群结构特征

摘要：目的 明确中药金汁的菌群结构和数量,阐明金汁和粪菌移植液的菌群差异。方法 课题组在福建省泉州市花桥慈济宫采集了金汁样本9份,在宁夏标准粪菌移植库制备粪菌移植液9份。采用宏基因组学16S rRNA技术对9份金汁和9份粪菌移植液样本的菌群进行检测。结果 金汁和粪菌移植液在门、纲、目、科、属和种等不同生物学等级进行对照研究,发现丰富度差异较大的10个菌属,金汁中的变形菌从门、纲、目、属和种等不同层级的丰富度均高于粪菌移植液(t=2.647 1,P=0.003 2)。金汁中的厚壁菌门、拟杆菌门、梭杆菌门和放线菌门的丰富度明显低于粪菌移植液（t=2.824 9、2.782 1、3.684 5、2.735 4,均P<0.01,）。结论 中医金汁的菌群生物学特征明显不同于现代的粪菌移植液。     

Hydrolysis of iodothyronine glucuronides by obligately anaerobic bacteria isolated from human faecal flora

Abstract 35 bacterial strains isolated from the human faecal flora were screened for hydrolysis of the glucuronides of 3,3',5-triiodothyronine and 3,3'-diiodothyronine. Two Gram-positive obligately anaerobic strains possessed glucuronidase activity. These strains probably belong to the genus Eubacterium , but ethanol was produced in high concentrations during glucose fermentation, which makes final classification difficult. Considering the number of bacteria in the intestinal flora (> 10⁸/ml) and the biliary excretion of iodothyronine conjugates, the strains must be able to hydrolyse a major part of the total daily intestinal supply of these iodothyronine metabolites. The study extends previous observations with faecal suspensions of human and rat origin [24]. The relevance of bacterial β-glucuronidase activity for a possible enterohepatic circulation of iodothyronines is discussed.     

Quantification of bacterial groups within human fecal flora by oligonucleotide probe hybridization

To investigate the population structure of the predominant phylogenetic groups within the human adult fecal microbiota, a new oligonucleotide probe designated S-G-Clept-1240-a-A-18 was designed, validated, and used with a set of five 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes. Application of the six probes to fecal samples from 27 human adults showed additivity of 70% of the total 16S rRNA detected by the bacterial domain probe. The Bacteroides group-specific probe accounted for 37% +/- 16% of the total rRNA, while the enteric group probe accounted for less than 1%. Clostridium leptum subgroup and Clostridium coccoides group-specific probes accounted for 16% +/- 7% and 14% +/- 6%, respectively, while Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus groups made up less than 2%.     

Peptostreptococcus hydrogenalis sp. nov. from human fecal and vaginal flora

We describe Peptostreptococcus hydrogenalis sp. nov., which is found in human feces and vaginal discharge. This new species was established on the basis of the results of DNA-DNA hybridization among anaerobic cocci. The results of different biochemical reactions also are given. The type strain of this species is strain GIFU 7662 (= JCM 7635).     

人类肠道菌群DNA提取影响因素的研究

目的研究提取人类粪便中细菌基因组DNA的影响因素。方法采用溶菌酶和十二烷基磺酸钠(SDS)+石英砂+酚-氯仿抽提法提取粪便标本中细菌DNA,用PCR扩增细菌16SrDNA。比较不同粪便量,不同放置时间,不同放置温度下的粪便细菌DNA浓度及纯度改变;用Chao index评测高通量测序的结果。结果采用20mg粪便量提取出的细菌DNA的浓度最高;常温下放置3h后,提取的细菌DNA的浓度开始下降;在-20℃放置12h后,细菌DNA的浓度开始下降;-70℃放置48h后细菌DNA的浓度开始下降;样品纯度均在1.8以上;Chao index曲线趋于平缓表明测序数据量足够大。结论提取肠道细菌基因组DNA时,粪便标本取样量以20mg为宜,常温下粪便标本放置不超过2h,本研究所使用的方法所提取的DNA浓度可以达到高通量测序的样本要求。     

Composition and ecology of the human intestinal flora

Longitudinal quantitative cultures of fecal flora of 20 newborns, 4 older babies and 10 healthy adults were carried out to study the composition and development of the intestinal flora. In all newborns the same sequence of colonization was observed. The numbers of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria fluctuated and reached finally numbers of 10¹⁰/g wet weight. In adults the flora was in balance with 10⁵–10⁷ aerobic and 10¹⁰–10¹¹ anaerobic bacteria/g wet weight. Interaction experiments in vitro showed growth inhibition of Bacteroides fragilis by all intestinal species isolated. Bifidobacteria were not inhibited. The assumption was made that this type of interaction could be one of the mechanisms involved in the intestinal micro-ecology. Three of the Bacteroides fragilis strains tested were able to grow on natural intestinal substrates as gastric mucin, glycogen and a variety of plant polysaccharides. Acetic, lactic, propionic and succinic acids were detected as fermentation products.     

Effect of sulphasalazine on the human intestinal flora

Sulphasalazine is commonly used to treat patients with ulcerative colitis but the mode of action is still unexplained. To investigate a possible antibacterial effect of sulphasalazine, the faecal flora composition was studied in patients with ulcerative colitis and in mice harbouring a human intestinal flora. Patients on sulphasalazine were found to have an intestinal flora that was completely resistant to sulphapyri-dine. Oral administration of sulphasalazine did not influence the composition of the human flora in mice.     

Anaerobic transformation of quercetin-3-glucoside by bacteria from the human intestinal tract

From human feces two phenotypically different types of bacteria were isolated on quercetin-3-glucoside as carbon and energy source. Isolates of one type were identified as strains of Enterococcus casseliflavus. They utilized the sugar moiety of the glycoside, but did not degrade the aglycon further. The sugar moiety (4 mM) was fermented to 5.5 ± 2.1 mM formate, 2.1 ± 0.7 mM acetate, 1.6 ± 0.3 mM l-lactate, and 1.3 ± 0.4 mM ethanol. The second type of isolate was identified as Eubacterium ramulus. This organism was capable of degrading the aromatic ring system. Growing cultures of Eubacterium ramulus converted 5 mM quercetin-3-glucoside to 1.7 ± 0.6 mM 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 7.6 ± 1.0 mM acetate, and 4.0 ± 0.4 mM butyrate. Molecular hydrogen, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, and ethanol were detected in small amounts. Phloroglucinol was a transient intermediate in the breakdown of quercetin-3-glucoside. Eubacterium ramulus did not grow on the aglycon quercetin or the ring-fission intermediate phloroglucinol, but cleaved the flavonoid ring system when glucose was present as a cosubstrate. The most probable number of quercetin-3-glucoside-degrading bacteria determined in nine human fecal samples was 10⁷–10⁹/g dry mass. Isolates from these experiments were all identified as Eubacterium ramulus. Received: 9 July 1998 / Accepted: 10 November 1998