Analysis of protein association networks regulating the neuroactive metabolites production in Lactobacillus species

Human population is intensively suffering from mental disorders and stress. Microbial metabolites may alter the brain activity, which seems to be an effective approach in the treatment of psychological distress. Earlier, microbial neuroactive metabolites such as trimethylamine, imidazolone propionate and taurine have been shown to alter the brain activity. In the present study proteins regulating their production and activity were explored in Lactobacillus species with the help of STRING (11.5) as a bioinformatic tool. Dataset network of urocanate hydratase, glycine radical enzyme and taurine ABC transporter protein (ATP-dependent transporter) have been identified in Lactobacillus nodensis, Lactobacillus vini and Lactobacillus paraplantarum strains. Further, cluster analysis of network resulted with groups of homologous proteins that most likely related to reductive monocarboxylic acid cycle, pyruvate fermentation to acetate IV and L-histidine degradation I pathway. The findings emphasize on the use and evaluation of selected Lactobacillus strains as psychoactive bacteria for the prevention and treatment of certain neurological and neurophysiological conditions.