Discovery and characterization of a prevalent human gut bacterial enzyme sufficient for the inactivation of a family of plant toxins.

Elife
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Although the human gut microbiome plays a prominent role in xenobiotic transformation, most of the genes and enzymes responsible for this metabolism are unknown. Recently, we linked the two-gene 'cardiac glycoside reductase' () operon encoded by the gut Actinobacterium to inactivation of the cardiac medication and plant natural product digoxin. Here, we compared the genomes of 25 strains and close relatives, revealing an expanded 8-gene -associated gene cluster present in all digoxin metabolizers and absent in non-metabolizers. Using heterologous expression and in vitro biochemical characterization, we discovered that a single flavin- and [4Fe-4S] cluster-dependent reductase, Cgr2, is sufficient for digoxin inactivation. Unexpectedly, Cgr2 displayed strict specificity for digoxin and other cardenolides. Quantification of in gut microbiomes revealed that this gene is widespread and conserved in the human population. Together, these results demonstrate that human-associated gut bacteria maintain specialized enzymes that protect against ingested plant toxins.

Year of Publication
2018
Journal
Elife
Volume
7
Date Published
2018 05 15
ISSN
2050-084X
DOI
10.7554/eLife.33953
PubMed ID
29761785
PubMed Central ID
PMC5953540
Links
Grant list
K99 GM111978 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01HL122593 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
GM111978 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL122593 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
T32 GM095450 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R00 GM111978 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
Training grant, GM095450-01 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
DRR-42-16 / DRCRF / Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation / United States