Study shows gut bacteria Clostridia sense metabolites like lactate and formate (sciencedaily.com)

• Clostridia detect a broad range of digestive metabolites
• Lactate and formate are key signals for nutrient seeking
• New sensor proteins for lactate, uracil, and short-chain fatty acids discovered

"Researchers from the Max Planck Institute, University of Ohio, and Philipps-University Marburg have demonstrated that beneficial gut bacteria of the genus Clostridia can detect a wide array of chemical signals produced during digestion. The bacteria use specialized sensors to locate nutrients such as lactate and formate. These metabolites are produced by other bacteria and serve as fuel, indicating important cross-feeding in the gut. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."