Short-chain Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Research Articles

Effects of Antidiabetic Drugs on Gut Microbiota Composition.

Gut microbiota forms a catalog of about 1000 bacterial species; which mainly belong to the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla. Microbial genes are essential for key metabolic processes; such as the biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA); amino acids; bile acids or vitamins. It is becoming clear that gut microbiota is playing a prevalent role in pathologies such as metabolic syndrome; type 2 diabetes (T2D); inflammatory and bowel diseases. Obesity and related diseases; notably type 2 diabetes, induce gut dysbiosis. In this review; we aim to cover the current knowledge about the effects of antidiabetic drugs on gut microbiota diversity and composition as well as the potential beneficial effects mediated by specific taxa. Metformin is the first-line treatment against T2D. In addition to its glucose-lowering and insulin sensitizing effects, metformin promotes SCFA-producing and mucin-degrading bacteria. Other antidiabetic drugs discussed in this review show positive effects on dysbiosis; but without any consensus specifically regarding the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. Thus, beneficial effects might be mediated by specific taxa.

Ethanolamine Metabolism in the Mammalian Gastrointestinal Tract: Mechanisms, Patterns, and Importance.

Nutritional exchanges and cooperation between bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and the mammalian host play an important role in health and disease. Ethanolamine is an essential dietary lipid nutrient for animals and is abundant in both intestinal and bacterial cell membranes. Ethanolamine can be utilized by intestinal eukaryotic cells via the cytidine phosphoethanolamine pathway for de novo synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine, and certain bacteria are able to catabolize it as a major carbon and/or nitrogen source with the help of ethanolamine utilization proteins. In addition, ethanolamine utilization dramatically affects lipid metabolism and short-chain fatty acid biosynthesis. Ethanolamine metabolism plays a significant role in the renewal and proliferation of intestinal cells and intestinal inflammation, and ethanolamine may be a nutritional target to diagnose or treat diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. This review summarizes the mechanisms of ethanolamine metabolism in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract and its influence on intestinal health and immunity, thus providing a theoretical reference for further studies on mammalian nutrition and disease.

Engineering fatty acid synthases for directed polyketide production.

In this study, we engineered fatty acid synthases (FAS) for the biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids and polyketides, guided by a combined in vitro and in silico approach. Along with exploring the synthetic capability of FAS, we aim to build a foundation for efficient protein engineering, with the specific goal of harnessing evolutionarily related megadalton-scale polyketide synthases (PKS) for the tailored production of bioactive natural compounds.

Regulation of acidogenic metabolism towards enhanced short chain fatty acid biosynthesis from waste: metagenomic profiling

To enhance short chain carboxylic (volatile fatty) acids production from food waste, the present study evaluates a strategy for selective enrichment of the biocatalyst by exposing it to acid-shock.

Diffuse sclerosis and Addison's Disease: Biochemical studies on gray matter, white matter, and myelin

Chemical studies were performed on the brain of a patient with a sex-linked form of diffuse sclerosis and Addison's Disease. As expected for a demyelinating disease, the major abnormality was seen in the white matter, and especially in myelin. The yield of myelin was significantly reduced, as were the contents of cerebroside, plasmalogen, and phosphatidyl ethanolamine. Cholesterol esters, while increased in white matter, were not detected in myelin. The fatty acid composition of the myelin glycolipids was abnormal, in that there was a considerable increase in the amount of short-chain (C 16 and C 18) fatty acids, and a significant reduction in the amount of long-chain and hydroxy fatty acids. It is likely that the long-chain and hydroxy fatty acids were located on the outer portion of the myelin sheath, which is damaged first in a demyelinating disease. Myelin regeneration probably occurs through biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids, utilizing the soluble de novo system.

Biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids in lactating mammary supernatant

1. 1. Acetate, acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate and butyrate are effective precursors for the synthesis of butyric, hexanoic, octanoic, decanoic and longer-chain acids by the mammary supernatant obtained from lactating goats and rabbits. 2. 2. The distribution of 14C in the acids synthesized from specifically labeled substrates indicates that prior cleavage of acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate is not necessary for the synthesis of butyric acid. 3. 3. Avidin had little effect on the synthesis of butyrate. The synthesis of hexanoic and longer-chain acids, however, was inhibited indicating the involvement of malonyl-CoA only in the stepwise elongation of the butyryl chain. 4. 4. Citrate was seen to enhance the synthesis of butyrate as well as the longerchain acids. It was also found to be helpful in preserving the enzyme system during storage.