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A structural metagenomics pipeline for examining the gut microbiome
Morgan E Walker1, Joshua B Simpson1, Matthew R Redinbo2
1Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|July 16, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a structural metagenomics pipeline to analyze microbial enzymes. This approach helps understand enzyme functions in human health and disease, aiding therapeutic development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Structural Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Metagenomic sequencing offers insights into microbial protein functions relevant to human health.
- Understanding the structural basis of enzyme function is crucial for biological and medical research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a pipeline integrating microbial whole genome sequencing and protein structure data.
- To create a structural metagenomics-informed atlas of microbial enzyme families.
- To facilitate studies on enzyme orthologs' impact on in vivo function and their role in human health.
Main Methods:
- Combining microbial whole genome sequencing with protein structure data analysis.
- Developing a computational pipeline for structural metagenomics.
- Applying the pipeline to specific gut microbial enzyme families (glucuronidases, TMA lyases, bile salt hydrolases).
Main Results:
- A novel pipeline for structural metagenomics was established.
- The pipeline yields an atlas of microbial enzyme families.
- Facilitates visualization of metagenomics data through a structural lens.
Conclusions:
- Structural metagenomics provides a powerful approach to understand microbial enzyme functions.
- This pipeline can identify the roles of specific enzymes in health and disease.
- Aids in developing targeted therapeutics for microbiome-related conditions.
