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Selective utilization of medicinal polysaccharides by human gut Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species

Author

Listed:
  • Zepeng Qu

    (Taipa
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hongbin Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ji Yang

    (Guangdong Pharmaceutical University)

  • Linggang Zheng

    (Taipa
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jumin Huang

    (Macau)

  • Ziming Wang

    (Macau)

  • Chun Xie

    (Macau)

  • Wenlong Zuo

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiong Xia

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Lin Sun

    (Northeast Normal University)

  • Yifa Zhou

    (Northeast Normal University)

  • Ying Xie

    (Guangzhou)

  • Jingguang Lu

    (Taipa)

  • Yizhun Zhu

    (Taipa)

  • Lili Yu

    (Taipa)

  • Lihua Liu

    (Yanbian University)

  • Hua Zhou

    (Guangzhou)

  • Lei Dai

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Elaine Lai-Han Leung

    (Macau
    University of)

Abstract

Human gut Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species play crucial roles in human health and are known for their capacity to utilize diverse polysaccharides. Understanding how these bacteria utilize medicinal polysaccharides is foundational for developing polysaccharides-based prebiotics and drugs. Here, we systematically mapped the utilization profiles of 20 different medicinal polysaccharides by 28 human gut Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species. The growth profiles exhibited substantial variation across different bacterial species and medicinal polysaccharides. Ginseng polysaccharides promoted the growth of multiple Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species; in contrast, Dendrobium polysaccharides selectively promoted the growth of Bacteroides uniformis. This distinct utilization profile was associated with genomic variation in carbohydrate-active enzymes, rather than monosaccharides composition variation among medicinal polysaccharides. Through comparative transcriptomics and genetical manipulation, we validated that the polysaccharide utilization locus PUL34_Bu enabled Bacteroides uniformis to utilize Dendrobium polysaccharides (i.e. glucomannan). In addition, we found that the GH26 enzyme in PUL34_Bu allowed Bacteroides uniformis to utilize multiple plant-derived mannan. Overall, our results revealed the selective utilization of medicinal polysaccharide by Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species and provided insights into the use of polysaccharides in engineering the human gut microbiome.

Suggested Citation

  • Zepeng Qu & Hongbin Liu & Ji Yang & Linggang Zheng & Jumin Huang & Ziming Wang & Chun Xie & Wenlong Zuo & Xiong Xia & Lin Sun & Yifa Zhou & Ying Xie & Jingguang Lu & Yizhun Zhu & Lili Yu & Lihua Liu &, 2025. "Selective utilization of medicinal polysaccharides by human gut Bacteroides and Parabacteroides species," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-55845-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-55845-7
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