Gut Microbiome, a Potent Modulator of Epigenetics in Human Diseases.
- Author:
Jung Ae KIM
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Gut microbiome; Metabolism; Epigenetics
- MeSH: DNA Methylation; Epigenomics*; Gastrointestinal Microbiome*; Histones; Humans*; Metabolism; Microbiota; Pathology; Physiology; Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- From:Journal of Bacteriology and Virology 2017;47(2):75-86
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: Human physiology and pathology can be affected by different nutritional conditions. At cellular level, the availability of a nutritional component not only mediates metabolic reactions but also transmits signals for diverse biological activities. Epigenetic regulation such as DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications is considered as one of the nutrient-mediated signaling receivers as almost all of the epigenetic enzyme activities require intermediary metabolites as cofactors. The gut microbiome as “forgotten organ” has been suggested as a metabolite generator as well as a nutrient sensor for its host organism, affecting human health and diseases. Given the metabolite-dependent activities of epigenetic regulators, the gut microbiome has a high potential to influence the epigenetics in human physiology. Here, I review the involvement of gut microbiome in diverse human diseases and the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation by different metabolites. Thereafter, I discuss how the gut microbiome-generated metabolites affect host epigenetics, raising a possibility to develop a therapeutic intervention based on the interaction between the microbiome and epigenetics for human health.
