Gut Bacteria Produce Hormone-Like Proteins that Regulate Weight and Blood Sugar

Gut bacteria produce hormone-like proteins that regulate weight and blood sugar

Our intestines are home to trillions of microorganisms that produce substances capable of regulating all the body's organs via the bloodstream and the gut's nervous system.

Newly discovered gut bacteria proteins influence hormones, metabolism and bone density

The intestines are home to trillions of microorganisms that produce substances capable of regulating all the body's organs via the bloodstream and the gut's nervous system. Yet, only little is known about the effects of most of the bacteria that make up our microbiome.

Gut Bacteria Proteins Offer Clues to Chronic Disease Therapies

By analyzing proteins produced by gut bacteria, researchers from the University of Copenhagen and their collaborators elsewhere may have found a way to develop new types of treatments for widespread chronic disease. Specifically, they identified a bacterial strain that produces two proteins that resemble irisin, a hormone that is released by muscles during physical activity and plays a role in fat metabolism.  Details of their preclinical work i…