Identification of the key excreted molecule by Lactobacillus fermentum related to host iron absorption.
We have taken a vital step towards understanding why probiotic bacteria increase iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. We show here that Lactobacillus fermentum, one of the main probiotics of the microbiota, exhibits an extraordinary ferric-reducing activity. This activity is predominantly due to an excreted molecule: p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid (HPLA). Reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) is essential for iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. By reducing Fe(III), HPLA boosts Fe(II) absorption through the DMT1 channels of enterocytes. An in vitro experiment tested and confirmed this hypothesis. This discovery opens new avenues for the treatment of iron deficiency in humans, one of the most common and widespread nutritional disorders in the world.
Departamento de Química Inorgánica and Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Ana
A
González
Departamento de Química Inorgánica and Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Natividad
N
Gálvez
Fundación MEDINA, Avda. del Conocimiento 34, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
Jesús
J
Martín
Fundación MEDINA, Avda. del Conocimiento 34, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
Fernando
F
Reyes
Fundación MEDINA, Avda. del Conocimiento 34, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
Ignacio
I
Pérez-Victoria
Departamento de Química Inorgánica and Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain. Electronic address: josema@ugr.es.
Jose M
JM
Dominguez-Vera
D005285:Fermentation; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D052197:Limosilactobacillus fermentum / Q000737:chemistry*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000378:metabolism*
D007501:Iron
Iron metabolism; Iron supplement; Lactobacillus fermentum; Probiotic bacteria