Overview
Succinate is a Krebs cycle intermediate and a microbial metabolite produced by dialister, Bacteroides, Prevotella, and other gut bacteria. Beyond its role in energy metabolism, succinate is a signaling molecule that activates GPR91 (SUCNR1) on immune cells and neurons, linking microbial metabolism to host inflammation and neurological function.
Dual Role
- Physiological: Supports mitochondrial electron transport (Complex II substrate); signals via GPR91 for immune surveillance.
- Pathological: Excess succinate stabilizes HIF-1α in macrophages → drives IL-6 and il 1beta production → pro-inflammatory. Succinate accumulation in the tumor microenvironment promotes cancer progression.
Dialister Connection
dialister is a primary succinate producer in the gut. Dialister depletion in depression → reduced succinate → impaired mitochondrial function in hippocampal neurons → cognitive and mood deficits [1] [2].
Cross-References
- dialister — primary microbial succinate producer
- short chain fatty acids — related microbial metabolite class
- metabolites — broader microbial metabolite context
- inflammation — succinate-HIF-1α-IL-1β pro-inflammatory axis