Crocodile Gut Microbiome Is a Potential Source of Novel Bioactive Molecules

Siddiqui, Ruqaiyyah; Soares, Nelson C.; Khan, Naveed Ahmed

doi:10.1021/acsptsci.1c00108

Cited by 5 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Moreover, crocodilians, in particular the alligator may come across a high load of faecal coliforms in their aquatic environment (Johnston et al, 2010). Nonetheless, despite constantly being exposed to many potential pathogens, crocodilians do not seem to be susceptible to infection by these organisms, either systemically or through their skin, via lesions or wounds suggesting that these species possess potent antimicrobial abilities in their immune systems or gut microbiome (Kommanee et al, 2012; Merchant et al, 2006; Pata et al, 2007; Siddiqui et al, 2017, 2021).…”

Section: Immune System Of Reptilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It will be interesting to extrapolate reptilian gut microbiome and/or their metabolites with an eye to utilize these for possible clinical therapeutic use. Alternatively, implantation of selected gut microbiome species from reptiles into in vivo models of ageing or disease will be useful; nonetheless, further research will be required (Siddiqui et al, 2021).…”

Section: Reptile Resistance To Infectious Agents Cancer and Longevitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reptiles also possess greater longevity than similar‐sized land mammals, for example crocodiles are long‐lived reptiles sometimes living up to 100 years, advocating that we ought to learn from these species. Given that most of the immune system is thought to reside in the gut, accordingly, we speculated that the gut microbiome of reptiles most likely contributes to their robust immune system, their ability to thwart infectious diseases, cancer, and in some cases display limited or negligible senescence (Akbar, Siddiqui, Sagathevan, Iqbal, et al, 2019; Akbar, Siddiqui, Sagathevan, et al, 2020; Jeyamogan et al, 2019, 2020; Siddiqui et al, 2021; Wiertsema et al, 2021). Currently, the gut microbiome is accepted to play a crucial role on the health of the host, and a surfeit of studies have depicted that the gut microbiome may provide protection against neurodevelopment disorders, as well as cancer, among other diseases (Lee et al, 2021; Mohajeri et al, 2018; Siddiqui et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Gut microbiome–immune system interaction in reptiles

Siddiqui

Maciver

Khan

2022

Journal of Applied Microbiology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Reptiles are ectothermic amniotes in a world dominated by endotherms. Reptiles originated more than 300 million years ago and they often dwell in polluted environments which may expose them to pathogenic micro-organisms, radiation and/or heavy metals. Reptiles also possess greater longevity and may live much longer than similar-sized land mammals, for example, turtles, tortoises, crocodiles and tuatara are long-lived reptiles living up to 100 years or more. Many recent studies have emphasized the pivotal role of the gut microbiome on its host; thus, we postulated that reptilian gut microbiome and/or its metabolites and the interplay with their robust immune system may contribute to their longevity and overall hardiness. Herein, we discuss the composition of the reptilian gut microbiome, immune system-gut microbiome cross-talk, antimicrobial peptides, reptilian resistance to infectious diseases and cancer, ageing, as well the current knowledge of the genome and epigenome of these remarkable species. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that microbial gut flora of reptiles such as crocodiles, tortoises, water monitor lizard and python exhibit remarkable anticancer and antibacterial properties, as well as comprise novel gut bacterial metabolites and antimicrobial peptides. The underlying mechanisms between the gut microbiome and the immune system may hold clues to developing new therapies overall for health, and possible extrapolation to exploit the ancient defence systems of reptiles for Homo sapiens benefit.

show abstract

Section: Immune System Of Reptilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reptile Resistance To Infectious Agents Cancer and Longevitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Gut microbiome–immune system interaction in reptiles

Siddiqui

Maciver

Khan

2022

Journal of Applied Microbiology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, since the external environment affects the constitution of host microbiota, it is noteworthy that animals that flourish in environments that may be damaging for humans, such as those laden with heavy metals where crocodiles reside and consume rotten meat [ 31 ]; or unhygienic environments, such as sewers or drains, where cockroaches thrive [ 32 , 33 ]; or the diet consumed by snakes and water monitor lizards, which may comprise live rodents and carcasses [ 34 , 35 ]. We hypothesize that these animals may possess various mechanisms to ward off disease, allowing them to thrive for years in these conditions [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ].…”

Section: The Importance Of the Gut Microbiomementioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Sources of Bioactive Molecules: Gut Microbiome of Species Routinely Exposed to Microorganisms

Siddiqui

Soopramanien

Alharbi

et al. 2022

Veterinary Sciences

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The development of novel bioactive molecules is urgently needed, especially with increasing fatalities occurring due to infections by bacteria and escalating numbers of multiple-drug-resistant bacteria. Several lines of evidence show that the gut microbiome of cockroaches, snakes, crocodiles, water monitor lizards, and other species may possess molecules that are bioactive. As these animals are routinely exposed to a variety of microorganisms in their natural environments, it is likely that they have developed methods to counter these microbes, which may be a contributing factor in their persistence on the planet for millions of years. In addition to the immune system, the gut microbiota of a host may thwart colonization of the gastro-intestine by pathogenic and/or foreign microorganisms through two mechanisms: (i) production of molecules with antibacterial potential targeting foreign microorganisms, or (ii) production of molecules that trigger host immunity targeting foreign microorganisms that penetrate the host. Herein, we discuss and deliberate on the current literature examining antibacterial activities that stem from the gut bacteria of animals such as crocodiles, cockroaches, and water monitor lizards, amongst other interesting species, which likely encounter a plethora of microorganisms in their natural environments. The overall aim is to unveil a potential library of novel bioactive molecules for the benefit of human health and for utilization against infectious diseases.

show abstract

“…Accordingly, it is plausible to suggest that cockroaches represent a rich and diverse source of novel molecules with biological activity originating either in their tissues or their gut microbiome contributing to their overall health and resilience (Akbar et al 2018 ; Ali et al 2017 ; Moshaeb et al 2018 ). Several studies indicate the significance of the gut microbiome and its role in the overall health and immunity of the host (Malard et al 2021 ; Siddiqui et al 2021a , b , c ; Zheng et al 2020 ). Cockroaches represent an ideal organism for studying gut microbiome composition as well as host microbial interactions, as they have evolved to host a multifaceted gut microbiome comprising several species of microbes (Tinker and Otteson 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cockroaches: a potential source of novel bioactive molecule(s) for the benefit of human health

2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cockroaches are one of the hardiest insects that have survived on this planet for millions of years. They thrive in unhygienic environments, are able to survive without food for up to 30 days, without air for around 45 min and being submerged under water for 30 min. Cockroaches are omnivorous and feed on a variety of foods, including cellulose and plastic, to name a few. It is intriguing that cockroaches are able to endure and flourish under conditions that are harmful to Homo sapiens . Given the importance of the gut microbiome on its’ host physiology, we postulate that the cockroach gut microbiome and/or its metabolites, may be contributing to their “hardiness”, which should be utilized for the discovery of biologically active molecules for the benefit of human health. Herein, we discuss the biology, diet/habitat of cockroaches, composition of gut microbiome, cellular senescence, and resistance to infectious diseases and cancer. Furthermore, current knowledge of the genome and epigenome of these remarkable species is considered. Being one of the most successful and diverse insects, as well as their extensive use in traditional and Chinese medicine, the lysates/extracts and gut microbial metabolites of cockroaches may offer a worthy resource for novel bioactive molecule(s) of therapeutic potential for the benefit of human health and may be potentially used as probiotics.

show abstract

Crocodile Gut Microbiome Is a Potential Source of Novel Bioactive Molecules

Abstract: Here, it is proposed that the crocodile gut microbiome is a valuable biomaterials resource to counter threats posed by environmental and infectious hazards to the existence of Homo sapiens.

Cited by 5 publications

References 11 publications

Gut microbiome–immune system interaction in reptiles

Gut microbiome–immune system interaction in reptiles

Novel Sources of Bioactive Molecules: Gut Microbiome of Species Routinely Exposed to Microorganisms

Cockroaches: a potential source of novel bioactive molecule(s) for the benefit of human health

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About