Non-secretors display altered susceptibility to both infectious and autoimmune diseases. While they exhibit increased resistance to certain viral pathogens like norovirus, and
type 1 diabetes.
Impact on the gut microbiome Loss-of-function mutations in FUT2 dramatically alter the composition of the gut microbiome. Non-secretors have distinct microbial profiles compared to secretors, with studies reporting a reduction in
Escherichia species and a rise in pro-inflammatory taxa. Notably, non-secretors also exhibit increased levels of butyrate-producing bacteria, which are generally considered beneficial.
Consequences for microbial metabolism Although FUT2 does not directly regulate microbial metabolism, its influence on microbial community structure can indirectly affect metabolite production. The enrichment of butyrate producers in non-secretors may represent a compensatory mechanism, but this benefit may be insufficient to counterbalance the elevated inflammatory potential of the overall microbiome. Thus, FUT2 loss-of-function variants may skew the microbiome toward a pro-inflammatory state, potentially exacerbating conditions such as
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and masking the protective effects of beneficial metabolites like butyrate. == References ==