Eggerthella lenta

General Information

Eggerthella lenta is a fascinating microorganism that has garnered significant interest in the scientific community due to its unique metabolic capabilities and its role in human health. This bacterium is part of the human gut microbiota and is known for its ability to metabolize a variety of compounds, including dietary components and pharmaceuticals. One of the most intriguing aspects of E. lenta is its ability to inactivate the cardiac drug digoxin, which it achieves through a specific enzymatic pathway. This interaction highlights the potential for gut bacteria to influence drug efficacy and safety, making E. lenta a key player in the emerging field of pharmacomicrobiomics. Another notable feature of E. lenta is its involvement in the metabolism of bile acids and other sterols, which can impact host lipid metabolism and overall health. The bacterium's ability to produce secondary bile acids has implications for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, making it a valuable subject for research into gut health and disease prevention. From a genomic perspective, E. lenta possesses a relatively small genome compared to other gut bacteria, yet it encodes a diverse array of enzymes that enable it to thrive in the competitive environment of the human gut. This adaptability is further underscored by its capacity to utilize various carbon sources, which may contribute to its persistence and stability within the gut microbiome. In summary, Eggerthella lenta is a key organism in the study of human gut microbiota due to its unique metabolic functions, its impact on drug metabolism, and its potential role in health and disease. Its study offers valuable insights into the complex interactions between host and microbiome, and underscores the importance of considering microbial contributions in medical and nutritional contexts.

Eggerthella lenta is a fascinating anaerobic bacterium that is part of the human gut microbiota. This organism is particularly interesting due to its role in the metabolism of dietary fibers and its ability to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are crucial for maintaining gut health and influencing systemic metabolism. SCFAs, such as butyrate, are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and play a significant role in colon health. One of the unique aspects of E. lenta is its capacity to degrade complex carbohydrates, which can contribute to the fermentation processes in the gut. This ability not only aids in nutrient absorption but also supports the growth of beneficial microbial communities. Research has shown that the presence of E. lenta can be associated with a healthy gut microbiome, making it a valuable organism for studies related to gut health and disease prevention. Furthermore, Eggerthella lenta has been implicated in various metabolic processes, including the metabolism of certain drugs and xenobiotics, which highlights its potential impact on pharmacokinetics and drug interactions. This characteristic makes it a subject of interest in pharmacological research, particularly in understanding how gut microbiota can influence drug efficacy and toxicity. In clinical settings, E. lenta has been studied for its association with certain diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer, providing insights into the complex interplay between gut microbiota and human health. Its unique metabolic capabilities and associations with health and disease make Eggerthella lenta a significant organism in microbiome research and a potential target for therapeutic interventions.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Coriobacteriia

Order: Eggerthellales

Family: Eggerthellaceae

Genus: Eggerthella

Species: Eggerthella lenta

NCBI ID

84112

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/021/378/605/GCA_021378605.1_ASM2137860v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_021378605.1_ASM2137860v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Eggerthella lenta is a member of the human gut microbiota and has been associated with various clinical implications. It is known to play a role in human health by contributing to the metabolism of dietary fibers and the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are beneficial for gut health. However, it can also be implicated in disease associations, particularly in cases of infections such as bacteremia and endocarditis, especially in immunocompromised individuals or those with underlying health conditions. Eggerthella lenta exhibits pathogenicity through its ability to evade the immune response, often leading to opportunistic infections. Its presence in clinical specimens has been linked to antimicrobial resistance, with some strains showing resistance to commonly used antibiotics, complicating treatment options. In terms of medical applications, while Eggerthella lenta is not typically used as a probiotic, its role in gut health highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced microbiome. Further research is ongoing to explore its potential therapeutic applications, particularly in the context of gut health and metabolic diseases. Overall, understanding the dual role of Eggerthella lenta in both health and disease is crucial for developing effective strategies for managing infections and promoting gut health.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Eggerthella lenta is a gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium primarily found in the human gastrointestinal tract. This microorganism plays a crucial role in the gut microbiome, contributing to the fermentation of dietary fibers and the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining gut health and overall metabolic functions. Habitat and Ecological Niche: Eggerthella lenta thrives in the anaerobic environments of the colon, where it interacts closely with other gut microbiota. Its ability to metabolize complex carbohydrates allows it to occupy a specific ecological niche, where it helps in the breakdown of plant polysaccharides that are otherwise indigestible by human enzymes. Interactions and Roles: This bacterium is involved in symbiotic relationships with its host, aiding in nutrient absorption and contributing to the immune system's regulation. Additionally, it can influence the host's metabolism and has been studied for its potential role in various health conditions, including obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases. The presence of Eggerthella lenta is often associated with a balanced gut microbiome, highlighting its importance in maintaining microbial diversity and ecosystem stability within the gut environment. In summary, Eggerthella lenta is a vital component of the human gut biome, showcasing significant interactions with its environment and contributing to the overall health of its host.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Eggerthella lenta has shown significant potential in various industrial applications. One of the most notable areas is in biotechnology, where Eggerthella lenta is utilized for its ability to perform fermentation processes. This organism is known for its capacity to metabolize complex carbohydrates, which can be harnessed in the production of bioactive compounds and organic acids, contributing to the development of functional foods and dietary supplements. In the realm of waste management, Eggerthella lenta plays a crucial role in the biodegradation of organic matter. Its enzymatic activity allows it to break down polysaccharides and other complex organic materials, making it valuable in bioremediation efforts aimed at treating wastewater and reducing environmental pollutants. Furthermore, Eggerthella lenta has been studied for its potential in biofuel production. By participating in fermentation processes, it can convert biomass into bioethanol, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. This capability is particularly important in the context of renewable energy sources. In pharmaceutical development, Eggerthella lenta is recognized for its role in the human gut microbiome, where it contributes to the metabolism of certain drugs and the synthesis of vitamins. Understanding its metabolic pathways can lead to advancements in drug formulation and personalized medicine. Overall, Eggerthella lenta demonstrates a diverse range of applications across multiple industries, particularly in fermentation, biodegradation, and enzyme production, making it a valuable organism for future research and industrial exploitation.

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: 8

LLM predicted phenotypes: 5

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

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