New! Sign up for our email newsletter on Substack.

Gut’s Sugar-Eating Superhero: Scientists Crack the Code of Health-Boosting Bacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila

Scientists have unlocked the complex feeding mechanisms of a beneficial gut bacterium that could hold the key to understanding and treating various inflammatory diseases and metabolic disorders.

In a study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers have mapped out how Akkermansia muciniphila (AM) – a microbe associated with better health outcomes – systematically breaks down sugar molecules in the gut’s protective mucus layer.

The research team, led by Dr. Lucy Crouch from the University of Birmingham, conducted the first comprehensive analysis of 66 different enzymes that AM uses to digest mucus sugars. Their findings reveal a sophisticated molecular process that allows this beneficial bacterium to thrive in the human digestive system.

“This is the first time that we have comprehensively seen how microbes break down the food source O-linked sugars in the gut,” said Dr. Crouch. “This is the first time that a set of enzymes has been used to completely break down the glycan part of mucin.”

The significance of this discovery extends beyond basic science. The newly characterized enzymes could serve as valuable tools for detecting disease-related changes in human-produced glycans – complex sugar structures that can indicate various health conditions. These sugar molecules also act as attachment points for harmful pathogens and their toxins, including the dangerous Shiga toxin.

Using a pig model to study the mucus breakdown process, the researchers demonstrated that AM’s enzymes could completely deconstruct mucin – a feat never before achieved in laboratory settings. This breakthrough provides the first detailed understanding of how any microbe processes O-linked sugars, which are crucial components of the gut’s protective barrier.

The study’s implications for human health are substantial. AM has emerged as a key indicator of gut health, with lower levels of this bacterium being linked to inflammatory diseases and diabetes. The microbe is particularly sensitive to dietary fiber intake, highlighting the connection between diet and gut microbiome health.

According to Dr. Crouch, AM’s relationship with human health goes beyond simple digestion. “AM proteins and outer membrane extracts have been shown to exert positive effects on the host, including beneficial impacts on metabolism,” she explained. “Some of these proteins interact with host receptors to likely suppress an immune response.”

The findings open new possibilities for therapeutic interventions targeting gut health and metabolic diseases. By understanding how AM processes these complex sugar structures, researchers may develop new strategies to modify glycans and potentially reduce disease severity.

This research represents a significant step forward in understanding the intricate relationship between gut bacteria and human health, providing new tools for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in treating digestive and metabolic disorders.


Did this article help you?

If you found this piece useful, please consider supporting our work with a small, one-time or monthly donation. Your contribution enables us to continue bringing you accurate, thought-provoking science and medical news that you can trust. Independent reporting takes time, effort, and resources, and your support makes it possible for us to keep exploring the stories that matter to you. Together, we can ensure that important discoveries and developments reach the people who need them most.