Journal of Proteomics & Bioinformatics
Open Access
ISSN: 0974-276X
ISSN: 0974-276X
Susan Joyce
APC Microbiome Institute, Ireland
University College Cork, Ireland
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Proteomics Bioinform
Bile acid signatures can be used as indicators of metabolic status and of gut signaling and health. We detect these steroid molecules in different biological samples by UPLC-MS. Bile salts are conjugated bile acid (BA) moieties that are synthesized in the liver from cholesterol. They are now regarded as gut signaling hormones and are recognized as directing gene expression both locally and through cross-talk with the other tissues, mainly the liver. Following entry to the GI tract, microbial enzymes modify bile salts-bile salt hydrolase (BSH) enzymes and bile acids-bile acid inducible (Bai) enzymes in a spatial and temporal dependent manner. Hence, the gut microbiota is responsible for the range and the diversity of bile acids and salts and therefore microbial directed bile acid metabolism can play a central role in directing metabolic processes. While representatives of all the main phyla carry BSH, a property of gut associated bacteria only, these enzymes range in activity from none to very active and they show strain specific and different substrate specificities. Here, we present snapshot studies where we examine a range of bile acid altering activity in preclinical models of gut disease and in the disease state (Obesity, Short bowel Syndrome, Colitis) and their influence on host gene expression and gut health.
Email: S.Joyce@ucc.ie