Human microbiota peptides: important roles in human health

• Published in: Natural product reports 2025-01, Vol.42 (1), p.151-194
• Main Authors: Shah, Abdul Bari, Shim, Sang Hee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Bacteria; Global health; Metabolites; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Molecular modelling; Natural products; Peptides; Public health
• ISSN: 0265-0568; 1460-4752; 1460-4752
• DOI: 10.1039/d4np00042k

Covering: 1974 to 2024Human microbiota consist of a diverse array of microorganisms, such as bacteria, Eukarya, archaea, and viruses, which populate various parts of the human body and live in a cooperatively beneficial relationship with the host. They play a crucial role in supporting the functional balance of the microbiome. The coevolutionary progression has led to the development of specialized metabolites that have the potential to substitute traditional antibiotics in combating global health challenges. Although there has been a lot of research on the human microbiota, there is a considerable lack of understanding regarding the wide range of peptides that these microbial populations produce. Particularly noteworthy are the antibiotics that are uniquely produced by the human microbiome, especially by bacteria, to protect against invasive infections. This review seeks to fill this knowledge gap by providing a thorough understanding of various peptides, along with their in-depth biological importance in terms of human disorders. Advancements in genomics and the understanding of molecular mechanisms that control the interactions between microbiota and hosts have made it easier to find peptides that come from the human microbiome. We hope that this review will serve as a basis for developing new therapeutic approaches and personalized healthcare strategies. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of these microbiota in the field of natural product discovery and development.