Chemical transformation of xenobiotics by the human gut microbiota

Koppel, Nitzan; Rekdal, Vayu Maini; Balskus, Emily P.

doi:10.1126/science.aag2770

reviewScienceJun 23, 2017BRONZE OA

Chemical transformation of xenobiotics by the human gut microbiota

NKNitzan Koppel VMVayu Maini Rekdal EPEmily P. Balskus

Harvard University · Broad Institute

PubMed

Indexed incrossrefpubmed

Abstract

The human gut microbiota makes key contributions to the metabolism of ingested compounds (xenobiotics), transforming hundreds of dietary components, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals into metabolites with altered activities, toxicities, and lifetimes within the body. The chemistry of gut microbial xenobiotic metabolism is often distinct from that of host enzymes. Despite their important consequences for human biology, the gut microbes, genes, and enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism are poorly understood. Linking these microbial transformations to enzymes and elucidating their biological effects is undoubtedly challenging. However, recent studies demonstrate that integrating traditional and…

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Topics & keywords

Topics

Keywords

Xenobiotic
Transformation (genetics)
Gut flora
Biology
Computational biology
Microbiology
Genetics
Biochemistry

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Zero hunger

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