Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
08:42
Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
11.3K
Bile salt hydrolase profiling by fluorogenic probes in the human gut microbiome
Agne Sveistyte1, Carson J Miller1, Kristoffer R Brandvold2
1Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States.
Methods in Enzymology
|March 25, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a novel fluorogenic probe assay for quantifying bile salt hydrolases (BSH). This new method simplifies BSH profiling, overcoming limitations of existing techniques for studying bile acid transformations.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Biochemistry
- Gut Microbiome Research
- Metabolic Disease Research
Background:
- Bile salts are crucial for nutrient absorption and host signaling via FXR, VDR, and TGR5 receptors.
- Microbial bile salt hydrolases (BSHs) initiate bile acid transformations, influencing host physiology.
- Current BSH profiling methods are often laborious and resource-intensive, hindering research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the challenge of BSH profiling by developing a novel, efficient assay.
- To provide a detailed protocol for microbial cell extraction from fecal matter.
- To offer validation protocols for Michaelis-Menten analysis of BSH activity.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of a novel fluorogenic probe-based assay for BSH quantification.
- Detailed protocol for extracting microbial cells from fecal samples.
- Probe validation methods adaptable for Michaelis-Menten kinetic analysis.
Main Results:
- A novel fluorogenic probe assay was successfully developed and validated for BSH activity.
- The assay offers a less laborious and resource-intensive alternative to existing quantification methods.
- The study provides a comprehensive guide for BSH profiling, including sample preparation and kinetic analysis.
Conclusions:
- The developed fluorogenic probe assay significantly simplifies BSH profiling.
- This advancement facilitates better understanding of the role of BSH in bile acid metabolism and host signaling.
- The provided protocols can be widely adapted for studying microbial bile acid transformations.
