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Updated: Jun 23, 2025
09:18
A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis
Published on: July 28, 2023
2.6K
From the Microbiome to the Electrome: Implications for the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis
Marwane Bourqqia-Ramzi1,2, Jesús Mansilla-Guardiola1,3, David Muñoz-Rodriguez1
1Modeling, Data Analysis &Computational Tools for Biology Research Group, Biomathematics Unit, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology & Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 19, 2024
Summary
This study reveals distinct bioelectrical profiles for gut bacteria like E. coli and E. faecalis. Neural-type stimuli, such as glutamate and GABA, alter bacterial membrane potential without impacting growth or viability.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Bioelectricity
Background:
- The gut microbiome is crucial for host health, influencing metabolism, immunity, and the nervous system.
- Microbial imbalance (dysbiosis) is linked to various pathologies, highlighting the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
- Potential bioelectrical communication between gut bacteria and host nervous cells is an emerging area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct bioelectrical profiles (electrome) of *Escherichia coli* (E. coli) and *Enterococcus faecalis* (E. faecalis).
- To assess the impact of neural-type stimuli (glutamate and GABA) on bacterial membrane potential (Vmem).
- To determine if neurotransmitter-induced bioelectrical changes affect bacterial growth, viability, and cultivability.
Main Methods:
- Validated the fluorescent probe DiBAC4(3) for measuring bacterial membrane potential (Vmem).
- Analyzed bioelectrical profiles of *E. coli* and *E. faecalis* across different growth phases.
- Applied glutamate (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as neural-type stimuli to assess Vmem changes.
- Evaluated bacterial growth, viability, and cultivability using absorbance, live/dead probes, and viable counts.
Main Results:
- Distinct bioelectrical profiles were identified for *E. coli* and *E. faecalis*, varying with growth phase.
- Neural-type stimuli (Glu and GABA) induced significant changes in bacterial Vmem.
- These Vmem alterations did not negatively affect bacterial growth, viability, or cultivability.
- The fluorescent probe DiBAC4(3) proved reliable for reporting Vmem changes in both bacterial species.
Conclusions:
- Gut bacteria possess unique bioelectrical signatures that change with species and growth stage.
- Bacteria exhibit specific bioelectrical responses to neurotransmitter cues without compromising their physiological integrity.
- Modulating bacterial bioelectricity presents a potential novel therapeutic strategy for gut-related disorders.
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