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Ruminococcus gnavusRANK: SpeciesTAXONOMY: Terrabacteria group -> Firmicutes -> Clostridia -> Clostridiales -> Lachnospiraceae -> Blautia -> Ruminococcus gnavus OVERVIEW: Bacteroides and Ruminococcus gnavus are known to be associated inflammatory bowel disease. The human gut bacteria Clostridium sporogenes and Ruminococcus gnavus are capable of decarboxylating tryptophan to tryptamine, a β-arylamine neurotransmitter (Williams et al., 2014). Tryptamine induces the release of serotonin by enterochromaffin cells. Blood group B degrading activity of Ruminococcus gnavus alpha-galactosidase: Ruminococcus gnavus is a Gram positive, nonspore-forming obligate anaerobe normally found in the human alimentary tract. In culture, this organism constitutively produces a 1-3 alpha-galactosidase. 'We fractionated and characterized this enzyme demonstrating hydrolysis of the B epitope on erythrocyte membranes and seroconversion to H epitope (blood type O). Since the enzyme yield was low, cell suspension studies could not be performed. Instead, hydrolysis of the B membrane epitope was studied with an ELISA. A highly purified enzyme product was analyzed for characteristics such as pH, ionic strength, and temperature optimum. Activity in red cell preservative solutions and in the presence of type B plasma was also demonstrated. Ruminococcus gnavus a 1-3 alpha-galactosidase has potential application in the enzymatic conversion of type B to O packed red blood cell units.' [PMID: 15274432] 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] |