l-cysteine is required for the growth of Lactobacillus iners, a vaginal microbiome species typically associated with adverse outcomes that lacks cysteine biosynthesis pathways and key uptake mechanisms present in other lactobacilli. Cystine uptake inhibitors can be used to suppress L. iners abundance in vitro in favour of L. crispatus, a species associated with favourable outcomes.
- Seth M. Bloom
- Nomfuneko A. Mafunda
- Douglas S. Kwon