| Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Bacteroidota |
| Class: | Bacteroidia |
| Order: | Bacteroidales |
| Family: | Bacteroidaceae |
| Genus: | Bacteroides |
| Species: | B. thetaiotaomicron
|
| Binomial name | |
| Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Distaso 1912) Castellani and Chalmers 1919
| |
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron is a Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic bacterium and a prominent member of the human gut microbiota, particularly within the large intestine. B. thetaiotaomicron belongs to the Bacteroides genus – a group that is known for its role in the complex microbial community of the gut microbiota. Its proteome, consisting of 4,779 members, includes a system for obtaining and breaking down dietary polysaccharides that would otherwise be difficult to digest for the human body.
The bacterium encodes for enzymes such as glycoside hydrolases and polysaccharide lyases, allowing it to break down dietary fibers, such as cellulose and hemicellulose, into fermentable substrates. This metabolic activity generates short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like acetate and propionate, which are absorbed by the host and provide critical energy sources for colonic cells.
An opportunistic pathogen, B. thetaiotaomicron may become virulent in immunocompromised individuals. B. thetaiotaomicron has been associated with other commensal bacteria and the induction of regulatory T cells, which are essential for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing excessive inflammatory response in the gut mucosa. Due to its adaptability and interaction with the host immune and metabolic systems, B. thetaiotaomicron serves as a model organism for studying symbiosis, microbial ecology, and gut-host interactions.