Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...

Probiotics

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...

Microbial Nutrition

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The McbR transcription factor links the intracellular folate pool to virulence in enterohemorrhagic <i>Escherichia coli</i>.

mBio·2026

Same author

Transforming the American Academy of Microbiology for social good through scientific portfolios.

mBio·2026

Same author

Indole sensing in host, microbiota, and pathogen interactions.

Current opinion in immunology·2025

Same author

Combinatorial effects of tryptophan derivatives serotonin and indole on virulence modulation of enteric pathogens.

mBio·2025

Same author

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and the microbiome.

PLoS pathogens·2025

Same author

Expression of the locus of enterocyte effacement genes during the invasion process of the atypical enteropathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> 1711-4 strain of serotype O51:H40.

Microbiology spectrum·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach

Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach

Published on: May 2, 2018

Enteric Pathogens Exploit the Microbiota-generated Nutritional Environment of the Gut.

Alline R Pacheco¹, Vanessa Sperandio¹

¹University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dept. of Microbiology.

Microbiology Spectrum

|July 18, 2015

Summary

Gut pathogens like enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) use sugar availability as a key signal to control their virulence. Understanding this nutrient sensing is vital for combating gastrointestinal infections.

More Related Videos

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

Enteric Bacterial Invasion Of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro Is Dramatically Enhanced Using a Vertical Diffusion Chamber Model

Enteric Bacterial Invasion Of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro Is Dramatically Enhanced Using a Vertical Diffusion Chamber Model

Published on: October 22, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach

Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach

Published on: May 2, 2018

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

Enteric Bacterial Invasion Of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro Is Dramatically Enhanced Using a Vertical Diffusion Chamber Model

Enteric Bacterial Invasion Of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro Is Dramatically Enhanced Using a Vertical Diffusion Chamber Model

Published on: October 22, 2013

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Gastroenterology
Pathogen-Host Interactions

Background:

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors trillions of commensal bacteria crucial for digestion and host physiology.
Disruptions in host-microbiota balance (dysbiosis) can lead to disease.
GI pathogens compete with commensal bacteria for colonization and must adapt to host nutrient availability.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how carbon sources influence the regulation of virulence factors in invading GI pathogens.
To define the role of nutrient sensing in pathogen adaptation and virulence gene expression within the gut environment.

Main Methods:

The study focuses on the GI pathogen enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) as a model organism.
Analysis of how EHEC senses and responds to different carbon sources (gluconeogenic vs. glycolytic environments, fucose levels).
Investigating the impact of these environmental cues on the regulation of EHEC virulence genes.

Main Results:

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) utilizes sugar availability as a critical cue for regulating its virulence gene expression.
EHEC precisely monitors its metabolic environment, distinguishing between gluconeogenic and glycolytic conditions.
Fluctuations in specific sugar levels, such as fucose, are sensed by EHEC to fine-tune its virulence repertoire.

Conclusions:

Carbon nutrition significantly impacts the virulence factor expression of GI pathogens like EHEC.
Pathogens leverage nutrient sensing to adapt their virulence strategies to the host's physiological state.
Understanding nutrient-mediated regulation of virulence is essential for developing effective strategies against GI infections.