Intestinal metabolism of bilirubin

Abstract

CONCLUSIONS In this study we focused on the process of bilirubin reduction catalyzed by an anaerobic intestinal bacterium C. perfringens. We aimed to undertake analysis of bile pigments metabolized by C. perfringens anď their respective reduction products and to identify gene(s) encoding protein(s) involved in metabolism of bilirubin. Analysis of bile pigments metabolized by C. perfringens and their respective reduction products 1) The C. perfringens strain BRl isolated from neonatal stools reduces a variety of different bile pigments indicating that this broad subsfiate specificiý could be an effective tool for disposal of electons produced in catabolic processeswithin thesebacteria. 2) The examined strain reduces UCB only to the level of urobilinogen. Other bacterial stains and species, absent in neonates, are preslrmed to be essential for catabolism to the level ofstercobilinogen. Identification of gene(s)involved in bilirubin metabolism l) The C. perfringens strain BRl is resistantto the toansformationof plasmid DNA mediatedby electroporation and thereforeit is not a candidate suitable for transposonmutagenesis. 2) A transformable C. perfringens P90.2.2. strain was found to reduce bilirubin. Rapid and simple method suitable for electroporation of this stoain was developed providing transformation...

CONCLUSIONS In this study we focused on the process of bilirubin reducfion catalyzed by an anaerobic intestinal bacterium C' peýingen.s. We aimed to undertake analysis of bile pigments metabolized by C. perfringens and their respective reduction products and to identify gene(s) encoding protein(s) involved in metabolism of bilirubin. Analysis of bile pigments metabolized by C. perfringens and their respective reduction products 1) The C. perfringens strain BRI isolated from neonatal stools reduces a variety of different bile pigments indicating that this broad substrate speciÍicity could be an effective tool for disposal of electrons produced in catabolic pÍocesseswithin thesebacteria. 2) The examined strain reduces UCB only to the level of urobilinogen. Other bacterial sfoains and species, absent in neonates, are presumed to be essential for catabolism to the level ofstercobilinogen. Identification of gene(s)involved in bilirubin metabolism 1) The C. perfringens strain BRl is resistant to the transformation of plasmid DNA mediatedby electroporation and thereforeit is not a candidate suitable for transposonmutagenesis. A transformab|e C. peýingens P90.2,2. strain was found to reduce bilirubin. Rapid and simple method suitable for electroporation of this strain was developed providing transformation...