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Advances in microbial sulfoquinovose catabolism
Yiwei Chen1,2, Dazhi Liu2,3, Ruoxing Chu2
1College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|February 12, 2026
Summary
Sulfoquinovose (SQ) is a key sulfur compound degraded by gut bacteria through C-S or C-C bond pathways. This microbial metabolism impacts the sulfur cycle and human health.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Microbiology
- Environmental Science and Biogeochemical Cycles
- Human Gut Microbiome Research
Background:
- Sulfoquinovose (SQ), a major component of sulfolipids in photosynthetic organisms, is produced globally at approximately 10 billion tons annually.
- Microbial degradation of SQ is integral to the sulfur cycle and has growing implications for human health, particularly gut microbiome functions.
- Understanding SQ catabolism is crucial for comprehending microbial roles in sulfur cycling and their impact on host health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the known microbial catabolic pathways for sulfoquinovose (SQ) degradation.
- To elucidate the mechanisms involved in the degradation of sulfonated intermediates derived from SQ.
- To briefly discuss the implications of SQ degradation within the human gut environment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of microbial pathways for sulfoquinovose (SQ) catabolism.
- Analysis of C-S bond cleavage pathways (sulfo-ASMO, sulfo-ASDO) and C-C bond cleavage pathways (sulfo-EMP, sulfo-ED, sulfo-TAL, sulfo-TK).
- Review of degradation mechanisms for sulfonated intermediates like sulfolactate (SL) and dihydroxypropanesulfonate (DHPS).
Main Results:
- Two primary classes of SQ catabolic pathways exist: C-S bond cleavage yielding glucose and sulfite, and C-C bond cleavage yielding short-chain sulfonates.
- Degradation of intermediates by bacteria like *Bilophila wadsworthia* can produce hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a toxic compound linked to inflammation and colon cancer.
- SQ catabolism significantly contributes to the global sulfur cycle and influences the human gut microbiome composition and function.
Conclusions:
- Microbial degradation of sulfoquinovose involves diverse pathways impacting sulfur biogeochemistry.
- The metabolic products of SQ degradation, particularly H₂S, have significant implications for human gut health and disease.
- Further research into SQ catabolism is warranted to fully understand its role in microbial ecology and human health.
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