Bacterial enzyme found to weaken gut protective hormone signal

Gut microbiome research has traditionally examined which microbes live in the intestine and the small molecules they produce. However, a new study is suggesting that researchers may also need to consider another way bacteria interact with their hosts: through enzymes that act directly on molecules produced by the body.

Researchers from Peking University and collaborating institutions have identified a bacterial enzyme that can weaken a protective intestinal signal and aggravate colitis in a preclinical model.

The study focuses on dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), an enzyme produced by the host. DPP4-like enzymes are also made by gut bacteria and can carry out similar functions to their host counterparts. The researchers refer to these enzymes as ’microbial-host-isozymes.’

However, bacterial DPP4 enzymes may not all act on the same molecules. The researchers wanted to determine whether differences in their substrate preferences could lead to distinct effects on intestinal health.