Discovery and characterization of gut microbiota decarboxylases that can produce the neurotransmitter tryptamine.

Publication Year
2014

Type

Journal Article
Abstract

Several recent studies describe the influence of the gut microbiota on host brain and behavior. However, the mechanisms responsible for microbiota-nervous system interactions are largely unknown. Using a combination of genetics, biochemistry, and crystallography, we identify and characterize two phylogenetically distinct enzymes found in the human microbiome that decarboxylate tryptophan to form the β-arylamine neurotransmitter tryptamine. Although this enzymatic activity is exceedingly rare among bacteria more broadly, analysis of the Human Microbiome Project data demonstrate that at least 10% of the human population harbors at least one bacterium encoding a tryptophan decarboxylase in their gut community. Our results uncover a previously unrecognized enzymatic activity that can give rise to host-modulatory compounds and suggests a potential direct mechanism by which gut microbiota can influence host physiology, including behavior.

Journal
Cell Host Microbe
Volume
16
Issue
4
Pages
495-503
Date Published
2014 Oct 08
ISSN Number
1934-6069
Alternate Journal
Cell Host Microbe
PMCID
PMC4260654
PMID
25263219