Emerging gut microbial glycoside hydrolase inhibitors

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Biochemistry
• Gut Microbiome Research
• Enzyme Inhibitor Development

Background:

• The human gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host health and disease through molecular metabolism.
• Glycoside hydrolases (GHs) are key microbial enzymes that degrade glycosides from diet, host, and xenobiotics.
• Existing GH inhibitors are used in treating lysosomal storage diseases, viral infections, and type II diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging classes of glycoside hydrolase (GH) inhibitors.
• To explore applications of GH inhibitors in studying gut microbial enzymes.
• To highlight the potential of targeting gut microbial GHs for therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on glycoside hydrolase inhibitors and their applications.
• Analysis of GH inhibitors targeting host-derived glycans, dietary, and xenobiotic molecules.
• Examination of activity-based probes for identifying specific gut microbial GHs.

Main Results:

• Growing classes of GH inhibitors are effective tools for studying gut microbial GHs.
• GH inhibitors can target microbial degradation of host-derived glycans and xenobiotics.
• Activity-based probes help pinpoint specific microbial proteins influencing host outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Understanding gut microbial GH function is vital for elucidating host physiology and disease.
• Targeting gut microbial GHs with inhibitors presents promising therapeutic avenues.
• This approach offers potential interventions for acute and chronic disorders by modulating non-host factors.