Nat Microbiol January 2024 PMID 38172624

BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen.

Brantley Hall, Sophia Levy, Keith Dufault-Thompson, Gabriela Arp, Aoshu Zhong, Glory Minabou Ndjite, Ashley Weiss, Domenick Braccia, Conor Jenkins, Maggie R Grant, Stephenie Abeysinghe, Yiyan Yang, Madison D Jermain, Chih Hao Wu, Bing Ma

Mentions

206
Peak: 24 in Jan 2024
across 7 sources since Jan 2024

Extended reach

122,627
potential audience

Total likes

3,384

Video views

52,866

Mentions per month

Jan 2024 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News152 articles
  • X / Twitter27 posts
  • Blogs17 articles
  • Facebook4 posts
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions mostly revolve around the discovery that an enzyme called BilR in the gut influences bilirubin breakdown, which explains why urine is yellow, as noted in comments like 'Finally figured out why pee is yellow!' and 'science finally figured out how piss gets yellow.' The tone is generally casual and interested, highlighting the enzyme's role as a fun scientific fact rather than a transformative breakthrough.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the scientific findings, with some expressing fascination about how the enzyme explains bodily functions like urine color.

InterestModerate interest

Posts show moderate interest, with curiosity about the enzyme's function and broader implications, but limited deep analysis.

EngagementNeutral engagement

Engagement is mostly superficial, involving sharing of basic facts or casual comments rather than in-depth discussion.

ImpactModerate impact

The shared posts suggest an awareness of the discovery's significance, especially the explanation of urine color, but do not indicate major shifts in understanding or practice.

Abstract in brief

  • BilR is an enzyme produced by gut bacteria that plays a crucial role in breaking down bilirubin into urobilinogen, which is important for preventing health issues like jaundice and neurological damage.
  • Researchers used biochemical and genetic analysis to identify BilR, showing it’s mainly found in Firmicutes bacteria and highlighting key parts of its structure involved in its function.
  • The study found that BilR is common in healthy adults but less prevalent in newborns and people with inflammatory bowel disease, emphasizing the gut microbiome's role in bilirubin metabolism and the gut-liver connection.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
高遠 頼@生命科学VTuber(たかとー らい) 定期科学ニュース配信(日)
@takatoh_life · X

【原著論文】 B. Hall, et al. “BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen” Nat Microbiol, 03 January 2024 https://t.co/P5ouFEhXh1

Jan 5, 2024 · 35 likes · 8 shares · 13,628 followers View post →
Prof. Prokar Dasgupta OBE
@prokarurol · X

Why is urine yellow??? And what to do if it is not in the era of rapid diagnosis Here are my words of wisdom @EUplatinum Re: BilR is a Gut Microbial Enzyme that Reduces Bilirubin to Urobilino... https://t.co/0BqEuU5jZM

Mar 26, 2024 · 13 likes · 3 shares · 7,455 followers View post →
Rose Chuang
@chuangpeyyun · X

Nature論文科普標題:尿異為甚麼黃色的呢? 總之找到人體內新的酵素都是大發現 之後的延伸可多了 ex.小兒黃疸治療, 泌尿科診斷方法.. BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen https://t.co/1HqRiTpWuZ

Jan 28, 2024 · 7 likes · 1 share · 120 followers View post →
Sáfárné Hatrágyi Henrietta
@HatragyiSafarne · X

BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen

Jan 4, 2024 · 2 likes · 491 followers View post →
Domenick J. Braccia
@dombraccia · X

Very excited that the final paper from my PhD research is out now in Nature Microbiology! Check out the paper now titled "BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen" https://t.co/zzGHD036Sf #nature #microbiome #metabolism

Jan 29, 2024 · 2 likes · 87 followers View post →
Pro & Con
@oagworld · X

https://t.co/GMxyOgrEX8? More questions than answers, but I found why the author tried to write something so complex.. She closed with this link.. Nature Microbiology, 2023. DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01549-x

Jan 30, 2024 · 2 likes · 1 share · 13 followers View post →

All mentions

Shreya Ghosh
@shrez07 · X

BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen | Nature Microbiology https://t.co/2OYSGVX7bg

Oct 23, 2024 · 1 like · 145 followers View post →
Nicholas Raison
@NicholasRaison · X

RT @prokarurol: Why is urine yellow??? And what to do if it is not in the era of rapid diagnosis Here are my words of wisdom @EUplatinum…

Mar 27, 2024 · 3 shares · 367 followers View post →
Fardod O'Kelly
@FardodOKelly · X

RT @prokarurol: Why is urine yellow??? And what to do if it is not in the era of rapid diagnosis Here are my words of wisdom @EUplatinum…

Mar 26, 2024 · 3 shares · 2,221 followers View post →
Meg Kulkarni
@MiniMiniMeg · X

RT @prokarurol: Why is urine yellow??? And what to do if it is not in the era of rapid diagnosis Here are my words of wisdom @EUplatinum…

Mar 26, 2024 · 3 shares · 1,343 followers View post →
Prof. Prokar Dasgupta OBE
@prokarurol · X

Why is urine yellow??? And what to do if it is not in the era of rapid diagnosis Here are my words of wisdom @EUplatinum Re: BilR is a Gut Microbial Enzyme that Reduces Bilirubin to Urobilino... https://t.co/0BqEuU5jZM

Mar 26, 2024 · 13 likes · 3 shares · 7,455 followers View post →
Pro & Con
@oagworld · X

RT @oagworld: https://t.co/GMxyOgrEX8? More questions than answers, but I found why the author tried to write something so complex.. She c…

Jan 30, 2024 · 1 share · 13 followers View post →
Pro & Con
@oagworld · X

https://t.co/GMxyOgrEX8? More questions than answers, but I found why the author tried to write something so complex.. She closed with this link.. Nature Microbiology, 2023. DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01549-x

Jan 30, 2024 · 2 likes · 1 share · 13 followers View post →
MU-Peter Shimon
@mu-peter.bsky.social · Bluesky

Jan 29, 2024 · 2 likes View post →
Domenick J. Braccia
@dombraccia · X

Very excited that the final paper from my PhD research is out now in Nature Microbiology! Check out the paper now titled "BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen" https://t.co/zzGHD036Sf #nature #microbiome #metabolism

Jan 29, 2024 · 2 likes · 87 followers View post →
Old but not mad!
@2bedaReelThing · X

RT @chuangpeyyun: Nature論文科普標題:尿異為甚麼黃色的呢? 總之找到人體內新的酵素都是大發現 之後的延伸可多了 ex.小兒黃疸治療, 泌尿科診斷方法.. BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bili…

Jan 29, 2024 · 1 share · 217 followers View post →
Rose Chuang
@chuangpeyyun · X

Nature論文科普標題:尿異為甚麼黃色的呢? 總之找到人體內新的酵素都是大發現 之後的延伸可多了 ex.小兒黃疸治療, 泌尿科診斷方法.. BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen https://t.co/1HqRiTpWuZ

Jan 28, 2024 · 7 likes · 1 share · 120 followers View post →
新しい天使
@neostenshi · X

【尿を黄色くする酵素が判明】メリーランド大学とアメリカ国立衛生研究所(NIH)の研究者は、尿を黄色くする腸内細菌叢由来のビリルビン還元酵素として「BilR」を同定しました

Jan 27, 2024 · 1 like · 4,105 followers View post →
Jennifer Kerr
@Microbeprof · X

They finally figured out why pee is yellow! https://t.co/ekiNNVfGqA It’s because of an enzyme called bilirubin reductase that’s made by certain microbes in the gut

Jan 18, 2024 · 251 followers View post →
鶴屋蛙芽@Webライター
@turuyakame · X

BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen | Nature Microbiology https://t.co/hFflTPUV3G

Jan 10, 2024 · 1 like · 18 followers View post →
スーパーカブPRO110好き
@cubpro110ja07 · X

BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen https://t.co/RKuCmhopQ7

Jan 10, 2024 · 92 followers View post →
Sami Syrjämäki
@SamiSyrjamaki · X

Jos tämänkin tutkimusartikkelin otsikko olisi muotoiltu yleistajuisesti, saattaisi saada höhöttelyä osakseen "BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen" 1/ https://t.co/nm0Q8GHpzM

Jan 10, 2024 · 3,025 followers View post →
Barrett William Wolfe
@WolfeBarrett · X

no joke, science finally figured out how piss gets yellow how cool "BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen" https://t.co/i719cK82mL

Jan 9, 2024 · 713 followers View post →
Tominaga K. (tomiken)
@pacyc1841 · X

» BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen | Nature Microbiology https://t.co/fxKz7aY9CR

Jan 7, 2024 · 855 followers View post →
れいこっぷ| ω・)
@RAN_08_IR · X

RT @takatoh_life: 【原著論文】 B. Hall, et al. “BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen” Nat Microbiol, 03 January…

Jan 6, 2024 · 8 shares · 272 followers View post →
kazue(ユーリ垢)
@kazue680429 · X

RT @takatoh_life: 【原著論文】 B. Hall, et al. “BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen” Nat Microbiol, 03 January…

Jan 6, 2024 · 8 shares · 245 followers View post →
Agano
@Agano · X

RT @takatoh_life: 【原著論文】 B. Hall, et al. “BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen” Nat Microbiol, 03 January…

Jan 5, 2024 · 8 shares · 790 followers View post →
bxFLgfubBCvHa5B
@bxFLgfubBCvHa5B · X

RT @takatoh_life: 【原著論文】 B. Hall, et al. “BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen” Nat Microbiol, 03 January…

Jan 5, 2024 · 8 shares · 1,105 followers View post →
あかね
@eveakane · X

RT @takatoh_life: 【原著論文】 B. Hall, et al. “BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen” Nat Microbiol, 03 January…

Jan 5, 2024 · 8 shares · 1,224 followers View post →
イノ茶
@n1r0y0_ex · X

RT @takatoh_life: 【原著論文】 B. Hall, et al. “BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen” Nat Microbiol, 03 January…

Jan 5, 2024 · 8 shares · 533 followers View post →
高遠 頼@生命科学VTuber(たかとー らい) 定期科学ニュース配信(日)
@takatoh_life · X

【原著論文】 B. Hall, et al. “BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen” Nat Microbiol, 03 January 2024 https://t.co/P5ouFEhXh1

Jan 5, 2024 · 35 likes · 8 shares · 13,628 followers View post →
Sáfárné Hatrágyi Henrietta
@HatragyiSafarne · X

BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen

Jan 4, 2024 · 2 likes · 491 followers View post →
Yuta Sugiyama
@GNTocr3 · X

BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen https://t.co/DnZilcsGAd

Jan 4, 2024 · 1 like · 128 followers View post →
ultraviolet
@raurublock · X

BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen https://t.co/Ykfr47l2cf gut–liver axis なんて言葉もあるんか。ぐぐってみたら2004年が初出なのか

Jan 3, 2024 · 1 like · 30,161 followers View post →