Clostridium scindens: history and current outlook for a keystone species in the mammalian gut involved in bile acid and steroid metabolism

Steven L. Daniel, Jason M. Ridlon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Clostridium scindens is a keystone bacterial species in the mammalian gut that, while low in abundance, has a significant impact on bile acid and steroid metabolism. Numerous studies indicate that the two most studied strains of C. scindens (i.e. ATCC 35704 and VPI 12708) are important for a myriad of physiological processes in the host. We focus on both historical and current microbiological and molecular biology work on the Hylemon–Björkhem pathway and the steroid-17,20-desmolase pathway that were first discovered in C. scindens. Our most recent analysis now calls into question whether strains currently defined as C. scindens represent two separate taxonomic groups. Future directions include developing genetic tools to further explore the physiological role of bile acid and steroid metabolism by strains of C. scindens and the causal role of these pathways in host physiology and disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberfuaf016
JournalFEMS Microbiology Reviews
Volume49
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025

Keywords

  • 7α-dehydroxylation
  • Clostridium scindens
  • Hylemon–Björkhem pathway
  • gut microbiome
  • secondary bile acids
  • steroids
  • sterolbiome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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