Overview
Gordonibacter is a genus of Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic gut bacteria within the phylum Actinobacteria. It is recognized as a key participant in polyphenol metabolism, producing bioactive metabolites including equol (from dietary isoflavones) and urolithins (from ellagic acid and ellagitannins).
These metabolites have anti-inflammatory and estrogenic properties, making Gordonibacter functionally relevant to estrogen-dependent and neuroinflammatory conditions. Fecal metabolomic studies in endometriosis mouse models show altered polyphenol metabolite profiles consistent with Gordonibacter depletion (ni 2020 fecal metabolomics gut microbiota endometriosis mice), while microbial metabolite analyses in multiple sclerosis identify reduced urolithin-producing taxa as part of the broader dysbiotic pattern (duarte silva 2022 microbial metabolites ms).
Cross-References
- equol — bioactive metabolite produced by Gordonibacter
- polyphenols — dietary substrates for Gordonibacter metabolism
- endometriosis — condition where Gordonibacter is depleted
- multiple sclerosis — neuroinflammatory condition with altered polyphenol metabolism
- estrobolome — functional overlap with estrogen-metabolizing gut taxa