Bacteroides uniformis

General Information

Bacteroides uniformis is a fascinating microorganism primarily found in the human gut microbiota. This species is part of the Bacteroides genus, which plays a crucial role in the digestion of complex molecules. One of the most interesting aspects of Bacteroides uniformis is its ability to break down polysaccharides, which are complex carbohydrates that many other gut bacteria cannot process. This capability makes it an essential player in the gut ecosystem, contributing to the overall health and metabolic functions of the host. Bacteroides uniformis has also garnered attention for its potential therapeutic applications. Recent research has suggested that it may have anti-inflammatory properties, which could be beneficial in treating conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Additionally, its presence in the gut has been associated with a balanced immune response, making it a subject of interest in studies related to autoimmune diseases and allergies. From a genomic perspective, Bacteroides uniformis is notable for its large and diverse set of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. This genetic diversity allows it to adapt to various dietary inputs, making it a versatile and resilient member of the gut microbiome. Its ability to interact with other gut microbes and the host's immune system further underscores its importance in maintaining gut health. In summary, Bacteroides uniformis is a key player in the human gut microbiota, with unique capabilities in polysaccharide degradation and potential therapeutic benefits. Its role in gut health and disease makes it a valuable subject for ongoing and future research.

Bacteroides uniformis is a notable member of the human gut microbiota, recognized for its role in the digestion of complex carbohydrates and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate. This organism is of significant interest due to its ability to break down dietary fibers that are otherwise indigestible by human enzymes, thus contributing to host energy metabolism and overall gut health. The production of SCFAs is crucial, as they serve as an energy source for colonocytes and play a role in maintaining gut barrier integrity. Furthermore, B. uniformis has been studied for its potential implications in metabolic health, including its association with obesity and insulin sensitivity. Research indicates that variations in the abundance of B. uniformis may correlate with metabolic disorders, making it a candidate for therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating gut microbiota composition. Another interesting aspect of Bacteroides uniformis is its genetic adaptability, which allows it to thrive in diverse environments within the gut. This adaptability is partly due to its extensive repertoire of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), enabling it to utilize a wide range of polysaccharides. This enzymatic diversity not only highlights its ecological versatility but also positions B. uniformis as a valuable model organism for studying carbohydrate metabolism and microbial interactions in the gut. In summary, Bacteroides uniformis stands out for its contributions to gut health, its potential role in metabolic diseases, and its enzymatic capabilities, making it a significant focus of research in microbiology and nutrition.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacteroidota

Class: Bacteroidia

Order: Bacteroidales

Family: Bacteroidaceae

Genus: Bacteroides

Species: Bacteroides uniformis

NCBI ID

820

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/025/147/485/GCF_025147485.1_ASM2514748v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_025147485.1_ASM2514748v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Bacteroides uniformis is a member of the human gut microbiota and plays a significant role in human health and disease associations. It is known for its ability to ferment complex carbohydrates, contributing to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are beneficial for gut health and may have anti-inflammatory properties. However, B. uniformis can also be associated with opportunistic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, where it may lead to bacteremia or abscess formation in various body sites. In terms of pathogenicity, B. uniformis has been implicated in cases of intra-abdominal infections and diarrheal diseases, especially when the gut barrier is compromised. Its role in antimicrobial resistance is noteworthy, as it possesses genes that confer resistance to multiple antibiotics, complicating treatment options for infections it may cause. Moreover, B. uniformis has been studied for its potential as a probiotic, with some strains showing promise in enhancing gut health and modulating the immune response. Research is ongoing to explore its applications in therapeutics and preventive health strategies, particularly in the context of gut dysbiosis and related disorders. Overall, while B. uniformis is a crucial component of a healthy gut microbiome, its potential to cause infections and its role in antimicrobial resistance highlight the need for careful consideration in clinical settings.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Bacteroides uniformis is a prominent member of the human gut microbiota, thriving primarily in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. This microorganism plays a crucial role in the digestion of complex carbohydrates, contributing to the breakdown of dietary fibers and the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining gut health and providing energy to colon cells. Its presence is particularly significant in the large intestine, where it helps to ferment undigested polysaccharides, thus facilitating nutrient absorption and promoting a balanced microbial community. Symbiotic Relationships are a hallmark of _Bacteroides uniformis's ecological niche. It engages in mutualistic interactions with the host, enhancing nutrient availability while also contributing to the immune system's development and function. This organism can also influence the composition of other gut microbiota, thereby playing a role in maintaining microbial diversity and stability within the gut ecosystem. In addition to its primary habitat in the human gut, _Bacteroides uniformis has been studied in relation to its adaptability to various dietary changes, showcasing its ability to thrive in different nutritional environments. This adaptability underscores its importance in the context of human health, particularly in relation to diet-induced changes in gut microbiota composition. Overall, _Bacteroides uniformis exemplifies the intricate relationships within the gut biome, highlighting its essential functions in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall gut health.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Bacteroides uniformis has shown significant potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development. This organism is known for its role in the human gut microbiome, where it contributes to the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, which can be harnessed for fermentation processes in the production of biofuels and other bioproducts. In the realm of biofuel production, Bacteroides uniformis can be utilized to convert biomass into fermentable sugars, which can then be transformed into ethanol or other biofuels through fermentation. This process not only aids in renewable energy production but also helps in reducing waste from agricultural residues. Moreover, in waste management, Bacteroides uniformis has demonstrated capabilities in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of organic matter in anaerobic digesters. This process is crucial for the treatment of wastewater and the production of biogas, contributing to sustainable waste management practices. In the pharmaceutical industry, the metabolic products of Bacteroides uniformis are being studied for their potential health benefits, including the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that have anti-inflammatory properties. This highlights the organism's role in enzyme production and its potential use in developing new therapeutic agents. Overall, Bacteroides uniformis exemplifies the versatility of microorganisms in addressing industrial challenges, particularly in the areas of biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 10

LLM predicted phenotypes: 3

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	google/gemini-pro	openchat/openchat-7b	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	google/gemini-flash-1.5	google/gemini-flash-1.5	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemma-7b-it
Motility	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗
Gram staining	gram stain negative	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓
Aerophilicity	anaerobic	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	N/A	false	true	true	true	false	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false
Biosafety level	biosafety level 2	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Host association	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Hemolysis	gamma	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	bacillus	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓

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