Gut Protein Found to Neutralise Bacteria

Researchers have found a protein in the gut that helps stop bacteria from spreading. This protein, called intelectin-2, could be used to treat diseases like inflammatory bowel disease in the future. Intelectin-2 is part of a group of proteins known as lectins, which attach to specific sugar molecules.

A team from MIT discovered that intelectin-2 operates in two ways. First, it strengthens the mucus lining in the gastrointestinal tract, protecting the intestinal walls. If this barrier breaks, intelectin-2 can capture and kill bacteria.

The researchers studied this protein using different methods, examining tissue and gut bacteria from mice and humans, as well as the protein itself in the lab. They found that intelectin-2 targets galactose, a simple sugar in mucus and on some bacteria.

Some bacteria that intelectin-2 targets are resistant to antibiotics, making this discovery important for drug development. These include bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause serious infections.

The study suggests intelectin-2 is crucial in defending gut health. It could lead to new drugs that either copy the protein’s actions or boost its effects naturally in the body. Researchers believe these ancient proteins could be used to fight antibiotic resistance by using our body’s natural defenses.

The findings have been published in Nature Communications.

How much do you know?

What is the name of the protein found in the gut that helps stop bacteria from spreading?

Galactose

Intelectin-2

Staphylococcus aureus

Mucus

Which group of proteins does intelectin-2 belong to?

Enzymes

Hormones

Lectins

Antibodies

What does intelectin-2 strengthen in the gastrointestinal tract?

Intestinal walls

Mucus lining

Bacteria

Absorption rate

Which simple sugar does intelectin-2 target?

Glucose

Fructose

Sucrose

Galactose

What type of bacteria does intelectin-2 target that is resistant to antibiotics?

Escherichia coli

Staphylococcus aureus

Salmonella

Clostridium

In which journal were the findings of the study published?

Nature

Nature Communications

Science

Cell

Intelectin-2 can capture and kill bacteria if the mucus lining gets damaged.

True False

The study was conducted only on human tissue.

True False

Researchers believe that intelectin-2 can help fight antibiotic resistance.

True False

Intelectin-2 is a type of enzyme found in the gut.

True False

The researchers used only one method to study intelectin-2.

True False

Intelectin-2 is not related to gut health.

True False

Researchers found a protein called intelectin-2 that helps stop bacteria from spreading and it is part of a group known as .

Intelectin-2 strengthens the mucus lining in the gastrointestinal tract, protecting the walls.

Some targeted bacteria by intelectin-2, like Staphylococcus aureus, can cause serious .

The findings about intelectin-2 were published in Communications.

The study suggests that intelectin-2 is crucial for defending gut .

Researchers believe these ancient proteins can help fight antibiotic .

This question is required