The human distal gut microbiome is an extraordinary example of a mutualistic relationship wherein trillions of microbes ferment dietary and host-derived carbohydrates and the products of fermentation contribute to nutrient acquisition, gut epithelial health, and immune system development. The NIH-funded human microbiome project will generate neariy 1000 reference genomes from cultured and non-cultured microbes, and will supplement this data with DNA sequencing of microbial samples taken from human subjects. Glycoside hydrolases (GHs) comprise a significant proportion of the genes encoded by microbial genomes within the human distal gut microbiome and contribute to the depolymerization of recalcitrant dietary polysaccharides. A recent metagenomic analysis of the human distal gut microbiome revealed that of the 81 GH families present in the distal gut microbiome, GH family 3 was the most highly represented, which indicates that this gene family is important for carbohydrate utilization by the gut microflora. A number of different functional activities have been described for GH family 3 enzymes although the molecular determinants that define substrate specificity for these enzymes have not been elucidated. The long-term goal of the proposed research is to provide insight into the role of the GH family 3 genes in the metabolic repertoire of human gut microorganisms.
In aim 1 we will characterize the substrate specificities of four GH farnily 3 enzymes from the bacterium Prevotella bryantii Bi4 using a library of natural plant cell wall derived oligosaccharides.
In aim 2 we will employ a directed evolution approach for identifying amino acid residues that contribute to substrate specificity for one of these GH family 3 enzymes from P. bryantii Bi4. Results from the proposed studies will provide insight into the molecular determinants of substrate specificity for GH family 3 genes and will allow us to place this important gene family in the context of the metabolic repertoire of the gut-associated microflora. Public Health Relevance: The composition of microbial communities within the human colon is a critical factor that influences the development of numerous disease states including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This study will provide direct insight into the metabolic properties of the human colonic microflora. Understanding the metabolic characteristics of the gut microflora is essential for effective treatment of a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (ADAMHA) (F30)
Project #
5F30DK084726-02
Application #
7936105
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1-GRB-W (M1))
Program Officer
Podskalny, Judith M,
Project Start
2010-01-16
Project End
2013-11-15
Budget Start
2011-01-16
Budget End
2012-01-15
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$46,800
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
041544081
City
Champaign
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
61820
Wefers, Daniel; Dong, Jia; Abdel-Hamid, Ahmed M et al. (2017) Enzymatic Mechanism for Arabinan Degradation and Transport in the Thermophilic Bacterium Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus. Appl Environ Microbiol 83:
Hong, Pei-Ying; Iakiviak, Michael; Dodd, Dylan et al. (2014) Two new xylanases with different substrate specificities from the human gut bacterium Bacteroides intestinalis DSM 17393. Appl Environ Microbiol 80:2084-93
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Su, Xiaoyun; Han, Yejun; Dodd, Dylan et al. (2013) Reconstitution of a thermostable xylan-degrading enzyme mixture from the bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii. Appl Environ Microbiol 79:1481-90
Han, Yejun; Agarwal, Vinayak; Dodd, Dylan et al. (2012) Biochemical and structural insights into xylan utilization by the thermophilic bacterium Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus. J Biol Chem 287:34946-60
Dodd, Dylan; Mackie, Roderick I; Cann, Isaac K O (2011) Xylan degradation, a metabolic property shared by rumen and human colonic Bacteroidetes. Mol Microbiol 79:292-304
Kabel, Mirjam A; Yeoman, Carl J; Han, Yejun et al. (2011) Biochemical characterization and relative expression levels of multiple carbohydrate esterases of the xylanolytic rumen bacterium Prevotella ruminicola 23 grown on an ester-enriched substrate. Appl Environ Microbiol 77:5671-81
Yeoman, Carl J; Han, Yejun; Dodd, Dylan et al. (2010) Thermostable enzymes as biocatalysts in the biofuel industry. Adv Appl Microbiol 70:1-55
Dodd, Dylan; Kiyonari, Shinichi; Mackie, Roderick I et al. (2010) Functional diversity of four glycoside hydrolase family 3 enzymes from the rumen bacterium Prevotella bryantii B14. J Bacteriol 192:2335-45
Han, Yejun; Dodd, Dylan; Hespen, Charles W et al. (2010) Comparative analyses of two thermophilic enzymes exhibiting both beta-1,4 mannosidic and beta-1,4 glucosidic cleavage activities from Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus. J Bacteriol 192:4111-21

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