Bacteroides methylmalonyl-CoA mutase produces propionate that promotes intestinal goblet cell differentiation and homeostasis

• DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.11.005
• Publication Date: 2023-12-05T16:35:51Z
• Authors: Xingyu Wang; Zhongle Cai; Qiaoling Wang; Chao Wu; Yingkai Sun; Zhifeng Wang; Xiaoqiang Xu; Wenzhi Xue; Zhiwen Cao; Minchun Zhang; Yinmeng Zhu; Huibin Lin; Yi Zhang; Mingyang Yuan; Yuxiao Zhao; Aibo Gao; Yuqiang Yu; Yufang Bi; Guang Ning; Weiqing Wang; Jiqiu Wang; Ruixin Liu
• Keywords: Mice; Animals; Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase; Bacteroides; Homeostasis; Cell Differentiation; Propionates

Propionate is a short-chain fatty acid that is generated upon microbiome-mediated fiber fermentation in the intestine. By modulating immune and metabolic pathways, propionate exerts many health benefits. Key bacterial species, such as Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, generate propionate, but the biochemical pathways and specific functions remain undetermined. We identified a gene operon-encoding methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM) that contributes to propionate biosynthesis in B. thetaiotaomicron. Colonization of germ-free mice with wild-type or MCM-deficient strains as well as in vitro examination demonstrated that MCM-mediated propionate production promotes goblet cell differentiation and mucus-related gene expression. Intestinal organoids lacking the propionate receptor, GPR41, showed reduced goblet cell differentiation upon MCM-mediated propionate production. Furthermore, although wild-type B. thetaiotaomicron alleviated DSS-induced intestinal inflammation, this effect was abolished in mice receiving the MCM-deficient strain but restored upon propionate supplementation. These data emphasize the critical role of MCM-mediated propionate biosynthesis in goblet cell differentiation, offering potential pathways to ameliorate colitis.