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

January 2024 Nat Microbiol

Synopsis of Social media discussions

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.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

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

I
Interest
 Moderate level of interest

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

E
Engagement
 Neutral engagement

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

I
Impact
 Moderate level of 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.

Social Mentions

YouTube

3 Videos

Bluesky

1 Posts

Facebook

4 Posts

Twitter

27 Posts

Blogs

17 Articles

News

152 Articles

Reddit

2 Posts

Metrics

Video Views

3,057

Total Likes

112

Extended Reach

72,818

Social Features

206

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

Understanding Why Urine Is Yellow and Its Biological Significance

Understanding Why Urine Is Yellow and Its Biological Significance

It has been a mystery for many years, but researchers have finally solved it. Find out why urine is yellow and the biological processes behind it.

Videnskab․dk

February 24, 2024

3,021 views

Understanding Gut Enzymes and Their Role in Bilirubin Metabolism

Understanding Gut Enzymes and Their Role in Bilirubin Metabolism

This video explains how the gut microbial enzyme BilR aids in breaking down bilirubin into urobilinogen, highlighting its importance in preventing health issues like jaundice and neurological damage.

Dr. Sherman Fung

January 4, 2024

36 views

Gut Microbial Enzyme BilR's Role in Bilirubin Breakdown and Health

Gut Microbial Enzyme BilR's Role in Bilirubin Breakdown and Health

BilR, a gut bacterial enzyme, reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen, crucial for preventing jaundice and neurological issues. Research identified BilR in Firmicutes bacteria, highlighting its significance in bilirubin metabolism and gut-liver health.

腸内細菌相談室

March 30, 2025

0 views

  • Shreya Ghosh
    @shrez07 (Twitter)

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

    October 23, 2024

    1

  • Nicholas Raison
    @NicholasRaison (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    March 27, 2024

    3

  • Fardod O'Kelly
    @FardodOKelly (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    March 26, 2024

    3

  • Meg Kulkarni
    @MiniMiniMeg (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    March 26, 2024

    3

  • Prof. Prokar Dasgupta OBE
    @prokarurol (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    March 26, 2024

    13

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  • Pro & Con
    @oagworld (Twitter)

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

    January 30, 2024

    1

  • Pro & Con
    @oagworld (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    January 30, 2024

    2

    1

  • MU-Peter Shimon
    @mu-peter.bsky.social (Bluesky)


    view full post

    January 29, 2024

    2

  • Domenick J. Braccia
    @dombraccia (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    January 29, 2024

    2

  • Old but not mad!
    @2bedaReelThing (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    January 29, 2024

    1

  • Rose Chuang
    @chuangpeyyun (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    January 28, 2024

    7

    1

  • 新しい天使
    @neostenshi (Twitter)

    【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
    view full post

    January 27, 2024

    1

  • Jennifer Kerr
    @Microbeprof (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    January 18, 2024

  • 鶴屋蛙芽@Webライター
    @turuyakame (Twitter)

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

    January 10, 2024

    1

  • スーパーカブPRO１１０好き
    @cubpro110ja07 (Twitter)

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

    January 10, 2024

  • Sami Syrjämäki
    @SamiSyrjamaki (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    January 10, 2024

  • Barrett William Wolfe
    @WolfeBarrett (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    January 9, 2024

  • Tominaga K. (tomiken)
    @pacyc1841 (Twitter)

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

    January 7, 2024

  • れいこっぷ| ω･)
    @RAN_08_IR (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    January 6, 2024

    8

  • kazue(ユーリ垢)
    @kazue680429 (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    January 6, 2024

    8

  • Agano
    @Agano (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    January 5, 2024

    8


  • @bxFLgfubBCvHa5B (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    January 5, 2024

    8

  • あかね
    @eveakane (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    January 5, 2024

    8

  • イノ茶
    @n1r0y0_ex (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    January 5, 2024

    8

  • 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 (Twitter)

    【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
    view full post

    January 5, 2024

    35

    8

  • Sáfárné Hatrágyi Henrietta
    @HatragyiSafarne (Twitter)

    BilR is a gut microbial enzyme that reduces bilirubin to urobilinogen
    view full post

    January 4, 2024

    2

  • Yuta Sugiyama
    @GNTocr3 (Twitter)

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

    January 4, 2024

    1

  • ultraviolet
    @raurublock (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    January 3, 2024

    1

Abstract Synopsis

  • 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.