Molecular basis of an agarose metabolic pathway acquired by a human intestinal symbiont

Benjamin Pluvinage, Julie M. Grondin, Carolyn Amundsen, Leeann Klassen, Paul E. Moote, Yao Xiao, Dallas Thomas, Nicholas A. Pudlo, Anuoluwapo Anele, Eric C. Martens, G. Douglas Inglis, Richard E. R. Uwiera, Alisdair B. Boraston () and D. Wade Abbott ()
Additional contact information
Benjamin Pluvinage: University of Victoria
Julie M. Grondin: Lethbridge Research and Development Centre
Carolyn Amundsen: Lethbridge Research and Development Centre
Leeann Klassen: Lethbridge Research and Development Centre
Paul E. Moote: Lethbridge Research and Development Centre
Yao Xiao: University of Michigan Medical School
Dallas Thomas: Lethbridge Research and Development Centre
Nicholas A. Pudlo: University of Michigan Medical School
Anuoluwapo Anele: Lethbridge Research and Development Centre
Eric C. Martens: University of Michigan Medical School
G. Douglas Inglis: Lethbridge Research and Development Centre
Richard E. R. Uwiera: University of Alberta
Alisdair B. Boraston: University of Victoria
D. Wade Abbott: Lethbridge Research and Development Centre

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract In red algae, the most abundant principal cell wall polysaccharides are mixed galactan agars, of which agarose is a common component. While bioconversion of agarose is predominantly catalyzed by bacteria that live in the oceans, agarases have been discovered in microorganisms that inhabit diverse terrestrial ecosystems, including human intestines. Here we comprehensively define the structure–function relationship of the agarolytic pathway from the human intestinal bacterium Bacteroides uniformis (Bu) NP1. Using recombinant agarases from Bu NP1 to completely depolymerize agarose, we demonstrate that a non-agarolytic Bu strain can grow on GAL released from agarose. This relationship underscores that rare nutrient utilization by intestinal bacteria is facilitated by the acquisition of highly specific enzymes that unlock inaccessible carbohydrate resources contained within unusual polysaccharides. Intriguingly, the agarolytic pathway is differentially distributed throughout geographically distinct human microbiomes, reflecting a complex historical context for agarose consumption by human beings.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03366-x

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