Mutagenesis reveals how Akkermansia muciniphila degrades mucin and colonizes the gut

Mutational analysis of Akkermansia muciniphila identified genes important for growth in mucin and gut colonization. Mucin-degrading capabilities are essential for the bacterium to compete with other members of the microbiota, and mucin metabolism by A.muciniphila resulted in reduced transcription of genes involved with cholesterol biosynthesis in the host gut.