Abstract 1631 Deleting Predicted ExbB Protein BT2668 and ExbD Proteins BT2666 and 2667 in B. thetaiotaomicron

Bacteria in the gut microbiome assist in digestion by breaking down large polysaccharides that are otherwise indigestible by the host. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (B. theta) is an abundant bacteria in the human gut microbiome that is able to degrade a diverse array of polysaccharides by utilizing the proteins encoded by Polysaccharide Utilization Loci (PULs). Key components required for polysaccharide uptake are the TonB-dependent transporter, TonB, ExbD, and ExbB proteins. The ExbD and ExbB inner membrane proteins assist in the movement of polysaccharides by using proton motive force to move TonB and the associated transporter.