The potential role of α2-macroglobulin in the control of cysteine proteinases (gingipains) from Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis is closely associated with the development of some forms of periodontitis. The major cysteine proteinases released by this bacterium hydrolyze peptide bonds only after arginyl (gingipain R) or lysyl residues (gingipain K). No target protein inhibitors have been identified for either enzyme, leading us to investigate their inhibition by human plasma α₂-macroglobulin (α₂M). Both 50- and 95 kDa gingipain R were efficiently inhibited by α₂M, whereas the catalytic activity of gingipain K could not be eliminated. All 3 enzymes were, however, inhibited by a homologous macroglobulin from rat plasma, α₁-inhibitor-3 a-Macroglobulins must be cleaved in the so-called "bait region" in order to inhibit proteinases by a mechanism involving physical entrapment of the enzyme. A comparison of the aminio acid sequences of the 2 macroglobulins indicates that the lack of lysyl residues within the bait region of α₂M protects Lys-specific proteinases from being trapped. On this basis, other highly specific proteinases might also not be inhibited by α₂M, possibly explaining the inability of the inhibitor to control proteolytic activity in some bacterially induced inflammatory states, despite its abundance (2-5 mg/ml) in vascular fluids.     

牙龈蛋白酶及其致病作用

牙龈卟啉单胞菌是引起和加重牙周炎的重要致病菌,其分泌的牙龈蛋白酶是其主要的毒力因子之一。本文就牙龈卟啉单胞菌牙龈蛋白酶以及牙龈蛋白酶对细菌生长和黏附的影响、对组织的破坏作用、对宿主防御机制的作用等研究进展作一综述。     

牙龈素促进牙龈卟啉单胞菌免疫逃逸的机制

有关牙周炎病因的关键致病菌假说近年来引起学者们的关注,该假说认为牙龈卟啉单胞菌在牙周炎的发病过程中发挥着重要作用,是牙周炎的关键致病菌.牙龈素是牙龈卟啉单胞菌产生的重要致病因子之一,它可以协助牙龈卟啉单胞菌逃逸巨噬细胞、中性粒细胞及补体系统的杀伤作用.本文就牙龈素促进牙龈卟啉单胞菌免疫逃逸的机制相关研究进展作一综述,对这一机制的深入了解有助于进一步理解牙龈素的致病机制,同时也可以为牙周炎的防治探索新的途径.     

Quantitative real-time PCR based on single copy gene sequence for detection of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for quantification of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis from subgingival plaque by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bacterial cells from both species were obtained from type culture and counted microscopically. Cellular suspension in sterile distilled water was used for DNA extraction by boiling for 20 min, with a mineral oil cover. Primers for PCR were selected from sequences of LktC gene (A. actinomycetemcomitans) and Arg-gingipain (P. gingivalis) to yield amplicons below 100 bp. SYBR Green I based real-time PCR was adjusted to quantify separately both species. RESULTS: A good sensitivity and specificity were obtained for both species, although the yield was better for A. actinomycetemcomitans. A good repeatability of cycle threshold (CT) was encountered, so coefficient of variation was below 6% at every initial copy number. CONCLUSION: A new method of quantification of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis based on SYBR Green real-time PCR is presented. Its good sensibility and repeatability will allow its application to analysis of subgingival plaque samples.     

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction based on single copy gene sequence for detection of periodontal pathogens

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for quantification of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Tannerella forsythensis (Tf) from subgingival plaque samples based on TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bacterial cells from these species were obtained after culturing reference strains and were counted microscopically. Cellular suspensions in Tris-EDTA buffer were used for DNA extraction after boiling for 20 min. Primers for PCR were selected from sequences of the LktC (Aa), Arg-gingipain (Pg) and BspA antigen (Tf) genes in order to yield amplicons below 100 bp. TaqMan-based real-time PCR was adjusted to quantify each species separately. Cycle threshold (C(T)) values were calculated for each species according to the initial number of copies. A reliability analysis was carried out using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) with a two-way random effects model. RESULTS: A high sensitivity and specificity was obtained for the detection of the three bacterial species. The TaqMan real-time PCR technology yielded a good repeatability in the obtained cycle threshold (C(T)) values for each initial number of copies, demonstrating coefficients of variation below 5% for each bacteria. The reproducibility of the technique was also demonstrated by the high ICCs (>0.98; p<0.00001) obtained for each bacteria with and without the addition of subgingival plaque. CONCLUSION: A novel diagnostic method based on TaqMan real-time PCR was developed for the quantification of Aa, Pg and Tf. It has demonstrated good sensitivity and repeatability on pure cultures. Its diagnostic utility should be demonstrated in subgingival plaque samples.     

A protein secretion system linked to bacteroidete gliding motility and pathogenesis

Porphyromonas gingivalis secretes strong proteases called gingipains that are implicated in periodontal pathogenesis. Protein secretion systems common to other Gram-negative bacteria are lacking in P. gingivalis, but several proteins, including PorT, have been linked to gingipain secretion. Comparative genome analysis and genetic experiments revealed 11 additional proteins involved in gingipain secretion. Six of these (PorK, PorL, PorM, PorN, PorW, and Sov) were similar in sequence to Flavobacterium johnsoniae gliding motility proteins, and two others (PorX and PorY) were putative two-component system regulatory proteins. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that porK, porL, porM, porN, porP, porT, and sov were down-regulated in P. gingivalis porX and porY mutants. Disruption of the F. johnsoniae porT ortholog resulted in defects in motility, chitinase secretion, and translocation of a gliding motility protein, SprB adhesin, to the cell surface, providing a link between a unique protein translocation system and a motility apparatus in members of the Bacteroidetes phylum.     

牙龈卟啉菌蛋白酶的结构和作用

牙龈蛋白酶是牙龈卟啉菌的主要致病因子，因其对宿主蛋白的广泛活性受到了普遍关注本文就牙龈蛋白酶的生化特征、基因结构、蛋白分子结构与作用的研究现状作一综述。     

Comparison of gingival crevicular fluid sampling methods in patients with severe chronic periodontitis

Background: The analysis of samplings from periodontal pockets is important in the diagnosis and therapy of periodontitis. In this study, three different sampling techniques were compared to determine whether one method yielded samples suitable for the reproducible and simultaneous determination of bacterial load, cytokines, neutrophil elastase, and arginine‐specific gingipains (Rgps). Rgps are an important virulence factor of Porphyromonas gingivalis, the exact concentration of which in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) has not been quantified. Methods: GCF was sampled from four sites per patient (one sample per quadrant using two samples per method) in 36 patients with chronic periodontitis. One week later, the procedure was repeated with alternative methods. Variables determined were loads of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) and P. gingivalis, levels of interleukin‐6 and ‐8, activity of neutrophil elastase, and level of Rgps. Results: The detected cytokine levels were higher using paper strips compared to paper points. Bacteria were found in similar loads from paper strips and paper points. Rgps were only detectable in high quantities by washing the periodontal pocket. The level of Rgps correlated with the load of P. gingivalis. Conclusions: The use of paper strips was suitable for the simultaneous determination of microbial and immunologic parameters. Obtaining GCF by washing can be useful for special purposes. The gingipain concentration in periodontal pockets was directly determined to be ≤1.5 μM. This value indicated that most of the substrates of these proteases by in vitro assays identified until now can be easily degraded in P. gingivalis–infected sites.     

Porphyromonas gingivalis C‐terminal signal peptidase PG0026 and HagA interact with outer membrane protein PG27/LptO

Outer membrane protein PG27 is essential for secretion/maturation of conserved C‐terminal domain (CTD) proteins such as gingipains, HagA, and PG0026. To determine the binding partner(s) of PG27, we used a Porphyromonas gingivalis mutant strain, 83K48, which expressed functional histidine‐tagged PG27. Purification of histidine‐tagged PG27 from 83K48 found that 136‐kDa and 264‐kDa proteins accompanied histidine‐tagged PG27. Mass spectrometry revealed the 136‐kDa protein and 264‐kDa protein to be PG0026 and PG1837 (HagA), respectively. PG0026 is a C‐terminal signal peptidase which cleaves the CTDs of other CTD proteins. A cross‐linking and a native electrophoresis studies suggested the interaction between histidine‐tagged PG27 and HagA and the interaction between histidine‐tagged PG27 and PG0026. We constructed Porphyromonas gingivalis gene disrupting mutants, and characterized them. PG0026 was required for the full activities of gingipains, whereas HagA was not. A mutation disrupting PG0026 affected localization of PG27, but a mutation disrupting PG1837 showed little effect on the expression and localizations of PG27 and PG0026. To determine the functional role of HagA, we used PG1837‐disruptant 83K54 which expressed functional histidine‐tagged PG27. Histidine‐tagged PG27 in 83K54 was co‐purified with not only PG0026 but also several contaminated proteins. These results suggest that PG0026 interacts with PG27 in the absence of HagA, and that the binding state of a PG27‐PG0026 complex was affected and stabilized by HagA. Taken together, these data suggest that secreted PG0026 anchors to the cell by interacting with PG27, is stabilized by HagA, and functions in processing of other CTD proteins such as gingipains.