Steptomycin-treated mice colonized with an E. coli mutant enriched in purine nucleobase release

This work explores the role of microbiota-sourced purines (MSPs) in gut health and disease using a streptomycin-induced purine depletion and reconstitution by colonization with purine-producing bacteria model. MSPs are identified as important metabolites that provide substrate for the host colonic energy balance and nucleotide genesis for homeostasis and wound healing. MSPs are also identified as cross-feeding metabolites within the microbiota. Altogether MSPs may represent a new approach in next-generation probiotics for the treatment of gut disease.