Clostridium sporogenesRANK: SpeciesTAXONOMY: Terrabacteria group -> Firmicutes -> Clostridia -> Clostridiales -> Clostridiaceae -> Clostridium -> Clostridium sporogenes OVERVIEW: Clostridium sporogenes is a species of Gram-positive bacteria that belongs to the genus Clostridium. Like other strains of Clostridium, it is an anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium that produces oval, subterminal endospores and is commonly found in soil. Unlike Clostridium botulinum, it does not produce the botulinum neurotoxins. In colonized hosts, it serves a symbiotic rather than pathogenic role. In the human microbiome, C. sporogenes serves as a symbiotic bacteria that uses tryptophan to synthesize indole and then subsequently 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA) – a type of auxin (plant hormone) – which serves as an incredibly potent antioxidant within the human body and brain. IPA is an even more potent scavenger of hydroxyl radicals than melatonin. Similar to melatonin but unlike other antioxidants, it scavenges radicals without subsequently generating reactive and pro-oxidant intermediate compounds. C. sporogenes is the only bacteria known to synthesize 3-indolepropionic acid in vivo at levels which are subsequently detectable in the blood stream of the host. It is being investigated as a way to deliver cancer-treating drugs to tumours in patients. Indolepropionic acid and novel lipid metabolites are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.[PMID: 28397877 ] C. sporogenes is often used as a surrogate for C. botulinum when testing the efficacy of commercial sterilisation. Identified as constituent of vaginal microbiome. [PMID:23282177] This species has been identified as a resident in the human gastrointestinal tract based on the phylogenetic framework of its small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences.[PMC 4262072]
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