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Researchers at Yale University have discovered that an intestinal bacterium called “Morganella morganii” is partly responsible for the development of colon cancer.
While the consumption of alcohol, red meat and overweight were previously considered the main risk factors for colorectal cancer (one of the most common in France), an intestinal microbe could change the game. The bacterium Morganella morganii is indeed suspected of playing a major role in the development of the tumor.
Toxic cells accused of damaging DNA
To better understand the role of the gut microbiota in the development and progression of colorectal cancer, researchers at Yale University analyzed various strains present in the gut of bats with colon cancer.
This is how they discovered that certain strains of the bacterium Morganella morganii (a bacterium present in the intestines of patients with inflammatory bowel disease) produced small genotoxic molecules called indolimines. Clearly, these are likely to damage human DNA.
“We found that various gut microbes exhibited DNA-damaging activities, suggesting that microbiota-mediated genotoxicity may be more widespread than previously thought.“, revealed Noah Palm, co-author of the study.
11 patients were recruited
As part of their work, the scientists also analyzed the microbiota of 11 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (another risk factor for colorectal cancer). More than 100 types of intestinal bacteria from their stools were scrutinized. Result: 18 strains damaged the genetic material in three unique species.
“We found that various bacterial strains isolated from patients with chronic bowel diseases exhibited DNA-damaging activities and found that a previously undescribed family of genotoxins called indolimines were produced by M. morganii“, say the researchers.
Another interesting fact: when scientists stopped the production of indolimines, the devastating effects of these genotoxic cells were stopped dead in their tracks: they no longer participated in the development of cancer.
Researchers now hope that these findings will advance science.
“Identification of dangerous genotoxins could improve colorectal cancer diagnosis and therapies in the future“.
Eventually, screening tools and preventive treatments could emerge.