L-Fucose is involved in human-gut microbiome interactions

L-Fucose is one of the key metabolites in human-gut microbiome interactions. It is continuously synthesized by humans in the form of fucosylated glycans and fucosyl-oligosaccharides and delivered into the gut throughout their lifetime. Gut microorganisms metabolize L-fucose and produce short-chain fatty acids, which are absorbed by epithelial cells and used as energy sources or signaling molecules. Recent studies have revealed that the carbon flux in L-fucose metabolism by gut microorganisms is distinct from that in other sugar metabolisms because of cofactor imbalance and low efficiencies in energy synthesis of L-fucose metabolism. The large amounts of short-chain fatty acids produced during microbial L-fucose metabolism are used by epithelial cells to recover most of the energy used up during L-fucose synthesis. In this review, we present a detailed overview of microbial L-fucose metabolism and a potential solution for disease treatment and prevention using genetically engineered probiotics that modulate fucose metabolism. Our review contributes to the understanding of human-gut microbiome interactions through L-fucose metabolism.

Automated summary

L-fucose is an important metabolite in human-gut microbiome interactions. It is continuously produced by humans and delivered to the gut, where gut microorganisms metabolize it and produce short-chain fatty acids. Recent studies have shown that the carbon flux in L-fucose metabolism by gut microorganisms is different from other sugar metabolisms due to cofactor imbalance and low energy synthesis efficiency. The large amounts of short-chain fatty acids produced during microbial L-fucose metabolism are used by epithelial cells to recover the energy used up during L-fucose synthesis. This review provides an overview of microbial L-fucose metabolism and discusses the potential use of genetically engineered probiotics for disease treatment and prevention by modulating fucose metabolism.