Dopamine receptor D2 confers colonization resistance via microbial metabolites. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38480886/)

These scientists wanted to understand how the bacteria living in our gut can help protect us from harmful germs that can make us sick. They focused on a specific type of bacteria that causes severe stomach problems. The scientists found that when a certain part of our gut is activated by chemicals produced by the good bacteria in our gut, it helps our bodies fight off these harmful germs.

They discovered that this activation decreases the production of a protein in our bodies that the harmful bacteria use to attach to our gut. This means that when the good bacteria in our gut are working well, they can help prevent these bad germs from making us sick.

The scientists believe that this discovery could help them develop new ways to keep our gut healthy and treat stomach infections that affect many people around the world.

Scott SA., Fu J., Chang PV. Dopamine receptor D2 confers colonization resistance via microbial metabolites. Nature. 2024 Mar 13. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07179-5.