Microbiota-derived aromatic amino acid decarboxylases: linking microbial fitness and host neurochemical communication.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing mechanistic and preclinical literature without original human clinical data
PubMed 41036868 · doi:10.1128/mbio.02052-25
What was done
This narrative review summarizes literature regarding the distribution, biochemical diversity, genetic organization, and physiological roles of bacterial aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylases (AADCs) across gut and skin microbial taxa (e.g., Ruminococcus gnavus, Clostridium sporogenes, Enterococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp.).
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or quantitative outcomes. It describes that bacterial AADCs synthesize neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin) and trace amines (tryptamine, tyramine, phenylethylamine) to enhance microbial fitness (acid resistance, energy generation, epithelial adherence) and modulate host physiology through trace amine-associated receptors, impacting gut motility, barrier integrity, systemic circulation, and drug efficacy.
Why it matters
It highlights bacterial AADCs as direct enzymatic sources of neuroactive monoamines, framing them as mechanistic mediators of host-microbe communication and potential therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal and neurological conditions.
Limits
The abstract presents a narrative synthesis without original human data, sample sizes, or quantitative effect sizes. Causal host impacts largely rely on preclinical and mechanistic models.
Cited by
- supports The gut microbiota synthesize neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, as well as their precursors.