The Bacteroidetes phylum is renowned for its ability to degrade a wide range of complex
carbohydrates, a trait that has enabled its dominance in many diverse environments. The …

Membrane proteins are highly diverse in both structure and function and can, therefore,
present different challenges for structure determination. They are biologically important for …

During intestinal inflammation, host nutritional immunity starves microbes of essential
micronutrients, such as iron. Pathogens scavenge iron using siderophores, including …

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are consistently present in the human colon in free forms and
as part of proteoglycans. Their utilization is critical for the colonization and proliferation of gut …

TonB-dependent transporters (TBDTs) are present in all gram-negative bacteria and
mediate energy-dependent uptake of molecules that are too scarce or large to be taken up …

Background Decomposition of plant biomass is vital for carbon cycling in terrestrial
ecosystems. In waterlogged soils including paddy fields and natural wetlands, plant biomass …

Bacteroidetes are abundant members of the human microbiota, utilizing a myriad of diet-and
host-derived glycans in the distal gut. Glycan uptake across the bacterial outer membrane of …

The human gut microbiota endows the host with a wealth of metabolic functions central to
health, one of which is the degradation and fermentation of complex carbohydrates. The …

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), as a class of biopolymers, play pivotal roles in various
biological metabolisms such as cell signaling, tissue development, cell apoptosis, immune …

Dextran is an α-(1→ 6)-glucan that is synthesized by some lactic acid bacteria, and
branched dextran with α-(1→ 2)-, α-(1→ 3)-, and α-(1→ 4)-linkages are often produced …