Metabolomic Cross-Talk Between Gut Archaea and Bacterial Commensals: The Role of Archaeal-Derived Methylated Amines

Archaea are integral yet understudied members of the human gut microbiome. Unlike pathogenic bacteria, no archaeon fulfills Koch's postulates as a direct etiological agent, suggesting their influence on host health is mediated through complex ecological and metabolic interactions. This review explores the emerging paradigm that gut archaea, primarily methanogens like Methanobrevibacter and Methanosphaera, function as critical metabolic modulators by shaping the microbial metabolome. We focus on the production and modulation of methylated amines as a central mechanism of archaeal-bacterial cross-talk. Through hydrogen consumption and participation in methyl-group transfer pathways, archaea alter the metabolic landscape, influencing bacterial community composition, host immune responses, and systemic metabolite pools linked to inflammatory bowel disease, periodontitis, and cardiovascular risk. Elucidating this cross-talk requires a multi-omics framework, with metabolomics serving as the essential bridge between genomic potential and pathophysiological outcome. This synthesis redefines archaea not as pathogens but as pivotal metabolic keystones within the human holobiont.

کلیدواژه ها:

Archaea ، Methanobrevibacter ، Methanosphaera ، Metabolomics ، Methylated Amines ، Gut Microbiome