Akkermansia

Etymology

The name Akkermansia (Ak.ker.man'si.a.) derives from: Neo-Latin feminine gender noun Akkermansia, named after Anton Dirk Louis Akkermans (1940–2006), a Dutch microbiologist recognized for his contribution to microbial ecology. Neo-Latin neuter gender noun mucinum, mucin; Neo-Latin adjective philus from Greek adjective philos (φίλος) meaning friend, loving; Neo-Latin feminine gender adjective muciniphila, mucin-loving).

Description

Cells are oval-shaped, non-motile and stain Gram-negative. Strictly anaerobic organism. Chemo-organotrophic. Mucolytic in pure culture.

Phylogeny

The currently accepted taxonomy is based on the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN) and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Human metabolism

Akkermansia muciniphila can reside in the human intestinal tract and is currently being studied for its effects on human metabolism and health. It could be of interest for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Akkermansia has been shown to reverse high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders in mice by increasing intestinal levels of endocannabinoids (e.g. 2-arachidonoylglycerol and 2-oleoylglycerol) and mucosal thickness. Another study showed that Akkermansia muciniphila alleviates depression-like behavior by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites in a chronic stress mouse model.

References

References

1. (November 2016). "Akkermansia glycaniphila sp. nov., an anaerobic mucin-degrading bacterium isolated from reticulated python faeces". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.
2. {{lpsn3. genus/Akkermansia. Akkermansia
3. Schoch CL. "Akkermansia". [[National Center for Biotechnology Information]] (NCBI) taxonomy database.
4. "The LTP".
5. "LTP_all tree in newick format".
6. "LTP_10_2024 Release Notes".
7. "GTDB release 10-RS226".
8. "bac120_r226.sp_label".
9. "Taxon History".
10. (2020). "A critical review of the relationship between dietary components, the gut microbe ''Akkermansia muciniphila'', and human health". Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
11. (2014). "Microbial Endocrinology: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease". Springer New York.
12. (May 2013). "Cross-talk between Akkermansia muciniphila and intestinal epithelium controls diet-induced obesity". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
13. (2022). "Gut Microbiome in Neurological Health and Disorders". Springer Nature Singapore.
14. (November 2021). "A next-generation probiotic: Akkermansia muciniphila ameliorates chronic stress-induced depressive-like behavior in mice by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites". Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.