Multiple TonB homologs are important for carbohydrate utilization by .

The human gut microbiota, including , is required for the degradation of otherwise undigestible polysaccharides. The gut microbiota uses polysaccharides as an energy source, and fermentation products such as short-chain fatty acids are beneficial to the human host. This use of polysaccharides is dependent on the proper pairing of a TonB protein with polysaccharide-specific TonB-dependent transporters; however, the formation of these protein complexes is poorly understood.

Multiple TonB Homologs are Important for Carbohydrate Utilization by .

The human gut microbiota is able to degrade otherwise undigestible polysaccharides, largely through the activity of the . Uptake of polysaccharides into is controlled by TonB-dependent transporters (TBDT) whose transport is energized by an inner membrane complex composed of the proteins TonB, ExbB, and ExbD. encodes 11 TonB homologs which are predicted to be able to contact TBDTs to facilitate transport.