A 4-guanidinobutanoic acid-SLC36A1 axis drives a microbiota‒host feedback loop to regulate intestinal homeostasis - PubMed
2 hours ago
- #ulcerative-colitis
- #gut-microbiota
- #intestinal-homeostasis
- 4-guanidinobutanoic acid (4-GBA) is a gut microbiota-derived metabolite produced by Bacteroides stercorirosoris.
- 4-GBA enhances intestinal stem cell (ISC) function and goblet cell differentiation.
- Promotes Akkermansia muciniphila enrichment via mucus-dependent niche expansion, creating a microbiota-host feedback loop.
- Mechanistically, 4-GBA upregulates SLC36A1 transporter and activates Hedgehog signaling for epithelial reprogramming.
- SLC36A1 expression inversely correlates with ulcerative colitis (UC) severity in human samples.
- SLC36A1 agonist sarcosine improves barrier homeostasis and reduces colitis in mice.
- Highlights potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications for UC management.