Adaptations of gummivorous primate gut-associated bifidobacteria to type-II arabinogalactan utilization
Abstract
Bifidobacteria inhabiting the primate gut exhibit host-dependent genetic diversification, particularly in their gene repertoire related to carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting adaptation to host diets. However, these diverse genetic traits remain poorly associated with specific dietary components. Here, through enzymatic and genetic analyses, we demonstrate that several Bifidobacterium species residing in the gut of gummivorous primates, such as marmosets, possess previously uncharacterized pathways for the efficient utilization of type-II arabinogalactan (AG), the major polysaccharide component of tree gums. The assimilation pathways comprises two key components: a bifunctional β-1,3-galactanase that cleaves the AG backbone via both endo- and exo-mode actions and/or an ATP-binding cassette transporter that internalizes the released arabinogalactan oligosaccharides (AGOs) into cells. Data mining of deposited metagenomic datasets suggested that the endo/exo-β-1,3-galactanase and the AGO transporter contribute to cross-feeding interactions within Bifidobacterium communities in the gut of gummivorous primates. Our study not only highlights molecular strategies employed by certain Bifidobacterium species to adapt to the dietary habits of a host but may also inform probiotic intervention strategies for the health and welfare of these primates in captive settings.
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BibTeX
@article{sasaki2026adaptations,
title = {{Adaptations of gummivorous primate gut-associated bifidobacteria to type-II arabinogalactan utilization}},
author = {Yuki Sasaki and Tomoya Kozakai and Moe Inoue and Mikiyasu Sakanaka and Toshihiko Katoh and Hiroki Kaneko and Hiroo Imai and Toshitaka Odamaki and Kiyotaka Fujita and Takane Katayama},
journal = {The ISME Journal},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrag210},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrag210},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Adaptations of gummivorous primate gut-associated bifidobacteria to type-II arabinogalactan utilization
AU - Yuki Sasaki
AU - Tomoya Kozakai
AU - Moe Inoue
AU - Mikiyasu Sakanaka
AU - Toshihiko Katoh
AU - Hiroki Kaneko
AU - Hiroo Imai
AU - Toshitaka Odamaki
AU - Kiyotaka Fujita
AU - Takane Katayama
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/19
JO - The ISME Journal
DO - 10.1093/ismejo/wrag210
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrag210
AB - Bifidobacteria inhabiting the primate gut exhibit host-dependent genetic diversification, particularly in their gene repertoire related to carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting adaptation to host diets. However, these diverse genetic traits remain poorly associated with specific dietary components. Here, through enzymatic and genetic analyses, we demonstrate that several Bifidobacterium species residing in the gut of gummivorous primates, such as marmosets, possess previously uncharacterized pathways for the efficient utilization of type-II arabinogalactan (AG), the major polysaccharide component of tree gums. The assimilation pathways comprises two key components: a bifunctional β-1,3-galactanase that cleaves the AG backbone via both endo- and exo-mode actions and/or an ATP-binding cassette transporter that internalizes the released arabinogalactan oligosaccharides (AGOs) into cells. Data mining of deposited metagenomic datasets suggested that the endo/exo-β-1,3-galactanase and the AGO transporter contribute to cross-feeding interactions within Bifidobacterium communities in the gut of gummivorous primates. Our study not only highlights molecular strategies employed by certain Bifidobacterium species to adapt to the dietary habits of a host but may also inform probiotic intervention strategies for the health and welfare of these primates in captive settings.
SN - 1751-7362
SN - 1751-7370
ER -