Deciphering the mechanisms of action underlying probiotic properties of Shouchella clausii by a functional genomics approach.

Probiotics are widely used for their health promoting effects, though a lot remain to be discovered, particularly on their mechanisms of action at the molecular level. The functional genomic approach is an appropriate method to decipher how probiotics may influence human cell fate and therefore contribute to their health benefit. In the present work, we focused on Shouchella clausii (formerly named Bacillus then Alkalihalobacillus clausii), a spore-forming bacterium that is commercially available as a probiotic for the prevention and the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis and related gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhoea.

An Insight into Functional Metagenomics: A High-Throughput Approach to Decipher Food-Microbiota-Host Interactions in the Human Gut.

Our understanding of the symbiotic relationship between the microbiota and its host has constantly evolved since our understanding that the "self" was not only defined by our genetic patrimony but also by the genomes of bugs living in us. The first culture-based methods highlighted the important functions of the microbiota. However, these methods had strong limitations and did not allow for a full understanding of the complex relationships that occur at the interface between the microbiota and the host.

Identification of a muropeptide precursor transporter from gut microbiota and its role in preventing intestinal inflammation.

The gut microbiota is a considerable source of biologically active compounds that can promote intestinal homeostasis and improve immune responses. Here, we used large expression libraries of cloned metagenomic DNA to identify compounds able to sustain an anti-inflammatory reaction on host cells. Starting with a screen for NF-κB activation, we have identified overlapping clones harbouring a heterodimeric ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-transporter from a Firmicutes.