Gut microbes take it to the next level? First insights into FXR agonists of microbial origin.

The intestinal microbiome and its metabolites contribute to host (patho)physiology through signaling via host bile salt receptors(1) . To assess the overall chemical effects of the microbiome at the level of an entire animal, Quinn et al. conducted untargeted metabolome analysis of 29 different organs of germ-free and specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice. [Quinn RA, Melnik AV, Vrbanac A et al. Global chemical effects of the microbiome include new bile-acid conjugations. Nature 2020;579:123-129] Unique microbial and metabolome profiles were evident along the GI tract.