Variation in bile acid resistance among human-associated Akkermansia
Mucin degrading specialists Akkermansia are key members of the gut microbiome and aid in human health. Species dependent differences in tolerance to bile, an antimicrobial digestive fluid found along the gastrointestinal tract, have been demonstrated across the lineage with A. massiliensis showing a higher tolerance to bile compared to other species. However, the mechanisms of bile tolerance are unknown. Here we determined the bile stress response mechanisms of A. massiliensis using transcriptomic and proteomic analysis and identified multiple mechanisms are being used, including cell envelope remodeling and export of bile. These outcomes will add to the importance of species level differences and help us determine which Akkermansia species are better suited for future therapeutic uses.