Cited by 1,419Gut microbiota and healthMicrobial Metabolites in Food BiotechnologyInfant Nutrition and Health

How glycan metabolism shapes the human gut microbiota

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Koropatkin, Nicole M., Cameron, Elizabeth A., Martens, Eric C.·2012·Nature Reviews Microbiology

Abstract

Symbiotic microorganisms that reside in the human intestine are adept at foraging glycans and polysaccharides, including those in dietary plants (starch, hemicellulose and pectin), animal-derived cartilage and tissue (glycosaminoglycans and N-linked glycans), and host mucus (O-linked glycans). Fluctuations in the abundance of dietary and endogenous glycans, combined with the immense chemical variation among these molecules, create a dynamic and heterogeneous environment in which gut microorganisms proliferate. In this Review, we describe how glycans shape the composition of the gut microbiota over various periods of time, the mechanisms by which individual microorganisms degrade these glycans, and potential opportunities to intentionally influence this ecosystem for better health and nutrition.

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  • Model systems show that an important function of the intestinal microbiome is metabolizing complex carbohydrates and polysaccharides, called glycans, to produce short-chain fatty acids through fermentation.

    “Model systems have demonstrated that an important function of the intestinal microbiome is its ability to metabolize complex carbohydrates and polysaccharides, collectively termed glycans, which leads to production of short-chain fatty acids through fermentation34.”

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Authors
Koropatkin, N. M., Cameron, E. A., & Martens, E. C.
Affiliations
University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author
Martens, Eric C.
Venue
Nature Reviews Microbiology
Published
2012-04-11
Volume
10
Issue
5
Pages
323-335
ISSN
  • 1740-1526 (ISSN-L)
  • 1740-1534
OpenAlex
W2044482540
Cited by
1,419
References
132
Citations by year
2026: 75 · 2025: 106 · 2024: 132 · 2023: 113 · 2022: 128 · 2021: 148 · 2020: 135 · 2019: 105 · 2018: 97 · 2017: 107 · 2016: 82 · 2015: 63 · 2014: 64 · 2013: 55 · 2012: 8
FWCI
5.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (GM-07544, T32GM007544)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P30DK034933, DK 034933, DK084214, K01DK084214)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Infant Nutrition and Health
Keywords
gut microbiota, glycan metabolism, polysaccharide degradation, glycosaminoglycans, N-glycans, O-linked glycans, hemicellulose, pectin, starch, microbial ecology, microbiota modulation, nutrition
MeSH terms
Diet, Humans, Polysaccharides, Gastrointestinal Tract, Metagenome, Biota

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