Roseburia is a genus of butyrate-producing, Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria that inhabit the human colon. With a cell morphology of a curved-rod shape, this bacterium uses its flagella to move around. The bacterium is named in honor of Theodor Rosebury who has contributed vastly to the oral microbiome field. First isolated in human fecal samples, Roseburia has been found to provide several health benefits pertaining to the human gut microbiome. Belonging to the Bacillota phylum, Clostridia class, Clostridiales order, and Lachnospiraceae family, the Roseburia genus currently has 5 known species: Roseburia cecicola, Roseburia faecis, Roseburia hominis, Roseburia intestinalis, and Roseburia inulinivorans.
Biology and biochemistry
As a member of the Bacillota phylum, Roseburia has been known to be an important bacterium in the human gut microbiome. The five species under the Roseburia genus (Roseburia cecicola, Roseburia faecis, Roseburia hominis, Roseburia intestinalis, and Roseburia inulinivorans) are known to produce butyrate, acetate, and propionate. Cluster XIVa has been shown to be related to Roseburia cecicola. Roseburia's ability to produce butyrate has been directly linked to positive health benefits such as prevention of type II diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and colon cancer. This is demonstrated through butyrate's ability inhibit histone deacetylase, which is correlated to its protective role in anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects. == Next-generation probiotics based on Roseburia species ==
Next-generation probiotics based on Roseburia species
Amongst all of Roseburia's species, R. intestinalis has coined the term of the "next-generation probiotic." This study concluded that Crohn's pathogenesis is suppressed by R. intestinalis through its ability to induce anti-inflammatory responses, as present through the production of butyrate. By increasing the differentiation of anti-inflammatory Tregs, R. intestinalis is able to further delay the development of Crohn's disease. It was concluded that R. intestinalis is a key degrader of β-mannan and could be used to elevate the selection of key members of the beneficial gut bacteria. In a study utilizing rats with colitis-related symptoms, relief was seen after an enema containing R. intestinalis was given.. == Phylogeny ==