Cell A nutrient commonly found in the human diet contributes to the survival of a cancer-causing bacterium

A new study from Yale University has found that a nutrient commonly found in the human diet contributes to the survival
of a cancer-causing bacterium.
This discovery may provide an important target
for new drugs to treat a variety of infectious diseases in humans.

This nutrient, known as ergothinine (EGT), is a known antioxidant that has been found to protect bacteria from oxidative stress
.
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidants in the body, which is a hallmark
of many disease-causing infections.

Oxidative stress occurs
when immune cells produce oxygen-containing free radicals to kill harmful bacteria.
In this case, bacteria rely on antioxidant molecules to survive, which neutralize free radicals
produced by the immune system.
Despite decades of research, the specific molecules that certain bacteria use to protect themselves from free radical damage in the body remain a mystery
.
The new findings, published Nov.
7 in the journal Cell, provide important clues
.

In the study, researchers at the Yale Institute for Microbial Science found that bacteria ingest the EGT nutrient — which is abundant in foods like mushrooms, legumes and grains — to help them survive
.
In the case of Helicobacter pylori, the pathogen that causes stomach cancer, this bacterium uses nutrients to successfully compete for survival
in host tissues.

While similar studies looked at the field of genetics, scientists at Yale University used mass spectrometry and a new technique they called "reaction-directed metabolomics" to examine bacterial uptake of EGT — a technique that uses the unique chemistry of specific types of molecules to identify them
in complex biological environments.

Stavroula Hatzios, assistant professor of molecular, cellular, developmental biology and chemistry at Yale's College of Arts and Sciences, said: "We were excited to discover a non-traditional mechanism that allows bacteria to resist oxidative stress during infection
.
" He is also the senior author
of the study.
She added: "Because the protein that bacteria use to absorb EGT works differently than its counterpart in human cells, we are optimistic that a specific drug can be developed to inhibit the uptake
of this nutrient by microbes.
"

Human cells also absorb EGT
from the diet.
In humans, EGT is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is widely associated
with disease prevention.

Reduced levels of EGT are associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, suggesting that bacterial consumption of this nutrient could have profound effects on
human health.

A microbial transporter of the dietary antioxidant ergothioneine