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Bacterial constipation: Mucin-degrading intestinal commensal bacteria cause constipation.

Tomonari Hamaguchi1, Noriaki Gibo1,2,3, Misuzu Ohara1,4

  • 1Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.

Gut Microbes
|February 19, 2026
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Summary

Two gut bacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, cooperate to cause constipation by degrading fecal mucins. Targeting their sulfatase activity may treat this common gastrointestinal disorder.

Keywords:
Akkermansia muciniphilaBacterial constipationBacteroides thetaiotaomicronParkinson's diseasechronic idiopathic constipationgnotobiotic micemucin degradationsulfatase

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology
  • Microbiome Research

Background:

  • Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder with poorly understood microbial contributions.
  • Specific gut commensals, Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, are implicated in constipation pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanistic role of A. muciniphila and B. thetaiotaomicron in constipation.
  • To investigate the cooperative interaction between these bacteria in inducing constipation.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for bacterial constipation.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of gut microbiota in constipated patients (Parkinson's disease and chronic idiopathic constipation) and healthy controls.
  • Gnotobiotic mouse models colonized with single or combined bacterial strains.
  • Generation of an anaerobic sulfatase-maturating enzyme (anSME)-deficient B. thetaiotaomicron mutant.
  • Analysis of fecal mucin composition and gene expression.

Main Results:

  • A. muciniphila and B. thetaiotaomicron were found in increased abundance in constipated patients.
  • Co-colonization of gnotobiotic mice with both bacteria induced constipation, while single colonization did not.
  • An anSME-deficient B. thetaiotaomicron strain ameliorated constipation in co-colonized mice, indicating the role of mucin sulfate catabolism.
  • Bacterial degradation of fecal mucins reduces lubrication and leads to fecal dehydration.

Conclusions:

  • A. muciniphila and B. thetaiotaomicron cooperatively induce constipation through mucin degradation.
  • Bacterial constipation involves the synergistic action of sulfatase and glycosylase activities on colonic mucins.
  • Targeting microbial sulfatase activity presents a promising therapeutic strategy for bacterial constipation.