Optogenetic control of gut bacterial metabolism to promote longevity
Abstract
Gut microbial metabolism is associated with host longevity. However, because it requires direct manipulation of microbial metabolism in situ, establishing a causal link between these two processes remains challenging. We demonstrate an optogenetic method to control gene expression and metabolite production from bacteria residing in the host gut. We genetically engineer anEscherichia colistrain that secretes colanic acid (CA) under the quantitative control of light. Using this optogenetically-controlled strain to induce CA production directly in theCaenorhabditis elegansgut, we reveal the local effect of CA in protecting intestinal mitochondria from stress-induced hyper-fragmentation. We also demonstrate that the lifespan-extending effect of this strain is positively correlated with the intensity of green light, indicating a dose-dependent CA benefit on the host. Thus, optogenetics can be used to achieve quantitative and temporal control of gut bacterial metabolism in order to reveal its local and systemic effects on host health and aging.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Dec 16, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.7554/elife.56849
Entities
People
- Bing Han
- Chih-chun J Lin
- Elena Musteata
- Jeffrey J Tabor
- John Tyler Lazar
- Lauren Gambill
- Lucas A Hartsough
- Matthew V Kotlajich
- Meng C Wang
- Mooncheol Park
Organizations
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- John S. Dunn Foundation
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation
- Rice University
- Robert A. Welch Foundation