Focus on the essentials: tryptophan metabolism and the microbiome-gut-brain axis. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gheorghe, Cassandra Elise; Martin, Jason A; Manriquez, Francisca Villalobos; Dinan, Timothy G; Cryan, John F; Clarke, Gerard
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in pharmacology. Volume 48(2019)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmaceutical Preparations -- Periodicals; Drug Therapy -- Periodicals; Biopharmaceutics -- Periodicals; Pharmacologie -- Périodiques; Pharmacology; Periodicals; 615.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.08.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-4892

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract : The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, in which serotonin (5-HT) functions as a key neurotransmitter. Recent research has increasingly concentrated on tryptophan, the precursor to 5-HT and on the microbial regulation of tryptophan metabolism, with an emphasis on host-microbe control over kynurenine pathway metabolism and microbial-specific pathways that generate bioactive tryptophan metabolites. Here, we critically assess recent progress made towards a mechanistic understanding of the microbial regulation of tryptophan metabolism and microbiota-gut-brain axis homeostasis highlighting the role tryptophan metabolism plays in preclinical and clinical neuroscience and in the challenge to improve our understanding of how perturbed tryptophan metabolism contributes to stress-related psychiatric disorders.