Gut bacteria have a novel sweet tooth: Ribose sensing and scavanging from fiber

Authors: KARRI, VIVEKANUDEEP - Rice University; HIRSCHI, KENDAL - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Gut Microbes
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/5/2020
Publication Date: 6/18/2020
Citation: Karri, V., Hirschi, K.D. 2020. Gut bacteria have a novel sweet tooth: Ribose sensing and scavanging from fiber. Gut Microbes. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2020.1770667.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2020.1770667

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Dietary fiber is known to influence symbiotic gut microbiota community structure and physiology, however, how and if dietary fiber can induce further exogenous nutrient uptake within gut microbes is ill-defined. Recent findings highlight how during periods of high-fiber consumption, a prevalent gut bacteria senses and scavenges the ubiquitous sugar ribose. This molecular adaptation exemplifies how particular gut microbes have developed a sophisticated system to scavenge nutrients in a diet-dependent manner.