Microbial trimethylamine metabolism in marine environments

Environ Microbiol. 2019 Feb;21(2):513-520. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.14461. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Abstract

Trimethylamine (TMA) is common in marine environments. Although the presence of this compound in the oceans has been known for a long time, unlike the mammalian gastrointestinal tract, where TMA metabolism by microorganisms has been studied intensely, many questions remain unanswered about the microbial metabolism of marine TMA. This minireview summarizes what is currently known about the sources and fate of TMA in marine environments and the different pathways and enzymes involved in TMA metabolism in marine bacteria. This review also raises several questions about microbial TMA metabolism in the marine environments and proposes potential directions for future studies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Methylamines / metabolism*
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*

Substances

  • Methylamines
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • trimethylamine