Targeted proteomics reveal α-MSH-like Enterobacterial ClpB protein in gut microbiota of patients with anorexia nervosa

NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2025 Nov 26;11(1):219. doi: 10.1038/s41522-025-00850-3.

Abstract

α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an anorexigenic peptide. In this exploratory study, a targeted proteomic approach was used to detect α-MSH-like bacterial proteins in the gut microbiota of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and healthy controls. Enterobacteriaceae chaperone DnaK was identified as an α-MSH-like protein common to both study groups, while caseinolytic protease B (ClpB) was present in patients with AN. These data further link anorexigenic ClpB to the AN pathophysiology.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anorexia Nervosa* / microbiology
  • Bacterial Proteins* / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins* / metabolism
  • Endopeptidase Clp* / genetics
  • Endopeptidase Clp* / metabolism
  • Enterobacteriaceae* / enzymology
  • Enterobacteriaceae* / genetics
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Young Adult
  • alpha-MSH* / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • alpha-MSH
  • Endopeptidase Clp