# CATABOLISM OF POLYSACCHARIDES BY COLONIC BACTEROIDES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · 1988 · $123,352

## Abstract

An important activity of the complex and numerous microbial population
which resides in the human colon is the catabolism of dietary and
host-produced polysaccharides.  Products of this catabolism are thought to
contribute to human nutrition and may have other effects on the health of
the human host.  Some information is available about the utilization of
polysaccharides by colon bacteria growing in laboratory culture, but at
present there is no way of determining what these same organisms are
actually doing in the colon.  The long range goal of this project is to
develop specific probes which can be used to detect and measure bacterial
activities in complex mixtures such as colon contents.  The project will
focus on the genus Bacteroides.  This genus accounts for at least 20% of
all colon isolates and contains the most versatile polysaccharide
utilizers.  We will first characterize proteins which are associated with
growth of Bacteroides on polysaccharides such as the tissue
mucopolysaccharide chondroitin sulfate (CS).  These proteins include not
only degradative enzymes but also membrane proteins.  Specific antiserum to
these proteins will be obtained.  Antisera will be used to determine the
effect of very slow growth rates and carbohydrate limitation, conditions
encountered by the bacteria in their natural habitat, on production of
these proteins.  The antisera will also be used to determine whether these
proteins are actually produced in the colon.  Since the antibodies will
distinguish polysaccharide-associated proteins produced by different
species, they can be used to determine which species is (are) utilizing a
particular polysacchraide in the colon.  If successful, this approach can
be used to answer such questions as how the host's diet affects the
activities of colonic bacteria.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127477
- **Project number:** 5R01AI017876-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Y8CWNJRCNN91
- **Principal Investigator:** Abigail A Salyers
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $123,352
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-04-01 → 1989-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127477

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127477, CATABOLISM OF POLYSACCHARIDES BY COLONIC BACTEROIDES (5R01AI017876-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127477. Licensed CC0.

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