Project Details
Projekt
How Segatella copri deals with oxygen: Mechanisms for the conversion of O2 and peroxides in an obligate anaerobic gut bacterium
Subject Area
Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
Term
since 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564160164
Segatella copri is a key member of the human gut microbiome and its strain-level diversity is well described in several studies indicating different metabolic capabilities and positive effects on the host. The species is described to be a possible next-generation probiotic. This would require either nutritional strategies to stimulate the establishment of S. copri in the gastrointestinal tract, or additional supplementation as actively growing culture. The latter requires that these strictly anaerobic bacteria exhibit some oxygen resilience, since during the application, oxygen exposure cannot be excluded. Also, during passage through the gastrointestinal tract, S. copri will be exposed to varying oxygen concentrations. There is still a lack of knowledge on how S. copri is able to cope with even small oxygen concentrations and which enzymes are involved to counteract oxidative cell damage. The genome of S. copri contains genes for a terminal oxidase and a peroxidase, but no genes for superoxide dismutases or catalases are annotated. We hypothesize that S. copri (1) reduces the O2 concentration with the help of a terminal oxidase in respiratory process (“nanaerobic respiration”), and (2) possesses an antioxidant defense mechanism where peroxides are reduced by a thioredoxin-dependent peroxidase. In our collaborative project, we aim at identifying the genetic repertoire and the enzymatic reactions acting against oxidative stress. To understand oxygen resilience at all biological levels, we will compare the transcriptome, proteome and metabolome of selected S. copri strains cultivated with or without oxidative stress. The findings will be approved by mutant strains lacking ROS-protective components and enzymes. Understanding these mechanisms will be crucial to enhance the survival of S. copri during future applications as a probiotic strain. This can prevent possible selection mechanisms during oxygen exposure in the gastrointestinal tract which might lead to negative effects on the host.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
