Regulation of hemin and iron transport in Porphyromonas gingivalis

A colourimetric evaluation of the effect of bacterial contamination on teeth stained with blood in vitro: Evaluation of the efficacy of two different bleaching regimes

BACKGROUND

Tooth discolouration could occur due to bacterial contamination in traumatized teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is the commonly used bleaching agent. However, due to concerns over safety, alternative bleaching regimes such as sodium perborate (S) and thiourea-hydrogen peroxide (T) have been investigated.

METHODS

Apices resected and pulp extirpated 99 premolars were divided into two groups. Group 1 and 2 was injected with blood and blood/bacteria, stored anaerobically for 35 days. The two groups were treated by bleaching with water, S or T. Teeth were rebleached after 7 days. Colourimetric evaluation was assessed using digital imaging, CasMatch standardization and CIE L*a*b colour system preoperatively, 35 days of staining and 7 and 14 of bleaching. A linear mixed model with fixed effects of time, group and bleach was used to examine colour difference.

RESULTS

Blood-stained teeth were significantly redder and darker on day 35 compared with blood/bacteria-stained teeth. After bleaching, blood-stained teeth retained significant redness compared with blood/bacteria-stained teeth using either S or T. T produced a significantly whiter shade in both the groups after 14 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood-stained teeth were significantly darker and red compared with blood/bacteria-stained teeth. T bleaching regime was more effective than S.

Importance of heterogeneity in Porhyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide lipid A in tissue specific inflammatory signalling

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Porphyromonas gingivalis exists in at least two known forms, O-LPS and A-LPS. A-LPS shows heterogeneity in which two isoforms designated LPS1,435/1,449 and LPS1,690 appear responsible for tissue-specific immune signalling pathways activation and increased virulence. The modification of lipid A to tetra-acylated1,435/1,449 and/or penta-acylated1,690 fatty acids indicates poor growth conditions and bioavailability of hemin. Hemin protects P. gingivalis from serum resistance and the lipid A serves as a site for its binding. The LPS1,435/1,449 and LPS1,690 isoforms can produce opposite effects on the human Toll-like receptors (TLR) TLR2 and TLR4 activation. This enables P. gingivalis to select the conditions for its entry, survival, and that of its co-habiting species in the host, orchestrating its virulence to control innate immune pathway activation and biofilm dysbiosis. This review describes a number of effects that LPS1,435/1,449 and LPS1,690 can exert on the host tissues such as deregulation of the innate immune system, subversion of host cell autophagy, regulation of outer membrane vesicle production, and adverse effects on pregnancy outcome. The ability to change its LPS1,435/1,449 and/or LPS1,690 composition may enable P. gingivalis to paralyze local pro-inflammatory cytokine production, thereby gaining access to its primary location in periodontal tissue.

Hemin binding by Porphyromonas gingivalis strains is dependent on the presence of A-LPS

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative black pigmenting anaerobe that is unable to synthesize heme [Fe(II)-protoporphyrin IX] or hemin [Fe(III)-protoporphyrin IX-Cl], which are important growth/virulence factors, and must therefore derive them from the host. Porphyromonas gingivalis expresses several proteinaceous hemin-binding sites, which are important in the binding/transport of heme/hemin from the host. It also synthesizes several virulence factors, namely cysteine-proteases Arg- and Lys-gingipains and two lipopolysaccharides (LPS), O-LPS and A-LPS. The gingipains are required for the production of the black pigment, μ-oxo-bisheme {[Fe(III)PPIX]2 O}, which is derived from hemoglobin and deposited on the bacterial cell-surface leading to the characteristic black colonies when grown on blood agar. In this study we investigated the role of LPS in the deposition of μ-oxo-bisheme on the cell-surface. A P. gingivalis mutant defective in the biosynthesis of Arg-gingipains, namely rgpA/rgpB, produces brown colonies on blood agar and mutants defective in Lys-gingipain (kgp) and LPS biosynthesis namely porR, waaL, wzy, and pg0129 (α-1, 3-mannosyltransferase) produce non-pigmented colonies. However, only those mutants lacking A-LPS showed reduced hemin-binding when cells in suspension were incubated with hemin. Using native, de-O-phosphorylated and de-lipidated LPS from P. gingivalis W50 and porR strains, we demonstrated that hemin-binding to O-polysaccharide (PS) and to the lipid A moiety of LPS was reduced compared with hemin-binding to A-PS. We conclude that A-LPS in the outer-membrane of P. gingivalis serves as a scaffold/anchor for the retention of μ-oxo-bisheme on the cell surface and pigmentation is dependent on the presence of A-LPS.

Protein Analysis of Sapienic Acid-Treated Porphyromonas gingivalis Suggests Differential Regulation of Multiple Metabolic Pathways

Lipids endogenous to skin and mucosal surfaces exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important colonizer of the oral cavity implicated in periodontitis. Our previous work demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of the fatty acid sapienic acid (C(16:1Δ6)) against P. gingivalis and found that sapienic acid treatment alters both protein and lipid composition from those in controls. In this study, we further examined whole-cell protein differences between sapienic acid-treated bacteria and untreated controls, and we utilized open-source functional association and annotation programs to explore potential mechanisms for the antimicrobial activity of sapienic acid. Our analyses indicated that sapienic acid treatment induces a unique stress response in P. gingivalis resulting in differential expression of proteins involved in a variety of metabolic pathways. This network of differentially regulated proteins was enriched in protein-protein interactions (P = 2.98 × 10(-8)), including six KEGG pathways (P value ranges, 2.30 × 10(-5) to 0.05) and four Gene Ontology (GO) molecular functions (P value ranges, 0.02 to 0.04), with multiple suggestive enriched relationships in KEGG pathways and GO molecular functions. Upregulated metabolic pathways suggest increases in energy production, lipid metabolism, iron acquisition and processing, and respiration. Combined with a suggested preferential metabolism of serine, which is necessary for fatty acid biosynthesis, these data support our previous findings that the site of sapienic acid antimicrobial activity is likely at the bacterial membrane.

IMPORTANCE

P. gingivalis is an important opportunistic pathogen implicated in periodontitis. Affecting nearly 50% of the population, periodontitis is treatable, but the resulting damage is irreversible and eventually progresses to tooth loss. There is a great need for natural products that can be used to treat and/or prevent the overgrowth of periodontal pathogens and increase oral health. Sapienic acid is endogenous to the oral cavity and is a potent antimicrobial agent, suggesting a potential therapeutic or prophylactic use for this fatty acid. This study examines the effects of sapienic acid treatment on P. gingivalis and highlights the membrane as the likely site of antimicrobial activity.

Porphyromonas gingivalis: major periodontopathic pathogen overview

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative oral anaerobe that is involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and is a member of more than 500 bacterial species that live in the oral cavity. This anaerobic bacterium is a natural member of the oral microbiome, yet it can become highly destructive (termed pathobiont) and proliferate to high cell numbers in periodontal lesions: this is attributed to its arsenal of specialized virulence factors. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of one of the main periodontal pathogens—Porphyromonas gingivalis. This bacterium, along with Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia, constitute the “red complex,” a prototype polybacterial pathogenic consortium in periodontitis. This review outlines Porphyromonas gingivalis structure, its metabolism, its ability to colonize the epithelial cells, and its influence upon the host immunity.

Deep sequencing of Porphyromonas gingivalis and comparative transcriptome analysis of a LuxS mutant

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major etiological agent in chronic and aggressive forms of periodontal disease. The organism is an asaccharolytic anaerobe and is a constituent of mixed species biofilms in a variety of microenvironments in the oral cavity. P. gingivalis expresses a range of virulence factors over which it exerts tight control. High-throughput sequencing technologies provide the opportunity to relate functional genomics to basic biology. In this study we report qualitative and quantitative RNA-Seq analysis of the transcriptome of P. gingivalis. We have also applied RNA-Seq to the transcriptome of a ΔluxS mutant of P. gingivalis deficient in AI-2-mediated bacterial communication. The transcriptome analysis confirmed the expression of all predicted ORFs for strain ATCC 33277, including 854 hypothetical proteins, and allowed the identification of hitherto unknown transcriptional units. Twelve non-coding RNAs were identified, including 11 small RNAs and one cobalamin riboswitch. Fifty-seven genes were differentially regulated in the LuxS mutant. Addition of exogenous synthetic 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD, AI-2 precursor) to the ΔluxS mutant culture complemented expression of a subset of genes, indicating that LuxS is involved in both AI-2 signaling and non-signaling dependent systems in P. gingivalis. This work provides an important dataset for future study of P. gingivalis pathophysiology and further defines the LuxS regulon in this oral pathogen.

The gingipains: scissors and glue of the periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis

The anaerobic bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis, is associated with chronic periodontal disease (periodontitis or gum disease). The disease is not only the leading cause of tooth loss in the developed world, but is associated with a number of systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The most potent virulence factors of this bacterium are the gingipains, three cysteine proteases that bind and cleave a wide range of host proteins. This article summarizes current knowledge of the structure and function of the enzymes, with a particular focus on what remains to be elucidated regarding the structure and function of the nonenzymatic adhesin domains of the high-molecular-weight forms of the proteases.

The proteomic profile of Fusobacterium nucleatum is regulated by growth pH

Fusobacterium nucleatum is a saccharolytic Gram-negative anaerobic organism believed to play an important role in the microbial succession associated with the development of periodontal disease. Its genome contains niche-specific genes shared with the other inhabitants of dental plaque, which may help to explain its ability to survive and grow in the changing environmental conditions experienced in the gingival sulcus during the transition from health to disease. The pH of the gingival sulcus increases during the development of periodontitis and this is thought to occur by the metabolism of nutrients supplied by gingival crevicular fluid. In comparison with other plaque inhabitants, F. nucleatum has the greatest ability to neutralize acidic environments. The differential expression of soluble cytoplasmic proteins induced by acidic (pH 6.4) or basic (pH 7.4 and 7.8) conditions, during long-term anaerobic growth in a chemostat, was identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and image analysis software. Twenty-two proteins, found to have altered expression in response to external pH, were identified by tryptic digestion and mass spectrometry. Eight differentially expressed proteins associated with increased energy (ATP) production via the 2-oxoglutarate and Embden-Meyerhof pathways appeared to be directed towards either cellular biosynthesis or the maintenance of internal homeostasis. Overall, these results represent the first proteomic investigation of F. nucleatum and the identification of gene products which may be important in the organism's persistence during the transition from health to disease in vivo.

A novel Porphyromonas gingivalis FeoB plays a role in manganese accumulation

FeoB is an atypical transporter that has been shown to exclusively mediate ferrous ion transport in some bacteria. Unusually the genome of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis has two genes (feoB1 and feoB2) encoding FeoB homologs, both of which are expressed in bicistronic operons. Kinetic analysis of ferrous ion transport by P. gingivalis W50 revealed the presence of a single, high affinity system with a K(t) of 0.31 microM. FeoB1 was found to be solely responsible for this transport as energized cells of the isogenic FeoB1 mutant (W50FB1) did not transport radiolabeled iron, while the isogenic FeoB2 mutant (W50FB2) transported radiolabeled iron at a rate similar to wild type. This was reflected in the iron content of W50FB1 grown in iron excess conditions which was approximately half that of the wild type and W50FB2. The W50FB1 mutant had increased sensitivity to both oxygen and hydrogen peroxide and was avirulent in an animal model of infection whereas W50FB2 exhibited the same virulence as the wild type. Analysis of manganous ion uptake using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry revealed a greater than 3-fold decrease in intracellular manganese accumulation in W50FB2 which was also unable to grow in manganese-limited media. The protein co-expressed with FeoB2 appears to be a novel FeoA-MntR fusion protein that exhibits homology to a manganese-responsive, DNA-binding metalloregulatory protein. These results indicate that FeoB2 is not involved in iron transport but plays a novel role in manganese transport.

Iron and heme utilization in Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium associated with the initiation and progression of adult periodontal disease. Iron is utilized by this pathogen in the form of heme and has been shown to play an essential role in its growth and virulence. Recently, considerable attention has been given to the characterization of various secreted and surface-associated proteins of P. gingivalis and their contribution to virulence. In particular, the properties of proteins involved in the uptake of iron and heme have been extensively studied. Unlike other Gram-negative bacteria, P. gingivalis does not produce siderophores. Instead it employs specific outer membrane receptors, proteases (particularly gingipains), and lipoproteins to acquire iron/heme. In this review, we will focus on the diverse mechanisms of iron and heme acquisition in P. gingivalis. Specific proteins involved in iron and heme capture will be described. In addition, we will discuss new genes for iron/heme utilization identified by nucleotide sequencing of the P. gingivalis W83 genome. Putative iron- and heme-responsive gene regulation in P. gingivalis will be discussed. We will also examine the significance of heme/hemoglobin acquisition for the virulence of this pathogen.

Gene expression profiling and characterization under hemin limitation in Porphyromonas gingivalis

Hemin is an important nutrient for Porphyromonas gingivalis growth and pathogenicity. We examined the gene expression profile of P. gingivalis, including genes involved in its pathogenicity, at various growth stages under hemin-standard and limited conditions by using a custom-made microarray. The transcription of many genes decreased after late-log and mid-log phases under hemin-standard and limited conditions, respectively. We focused on two groups of genes while comparing gene expression profiles under hemin-standard and limited conditions by gene tree analysis. Genes belonging to group A maintained high transcriptional levels, whereas genes in group B were expressed at low levels under standard hemin conditions. However, group B genes increased remarkably under hemin-limited conditions. Groups A and B contained genes involved in regulatory functions and protein fate, respectively. Genes related to energy metabolism, transport, and protein binding were present in both groups. Our results suggest that P. gingivalis experienced severe stress under hemin-limited conditions, and growth phase-dependent changes in transcription levels were observed for many genes. Moreover, increased expression of genes involved in energy metabolism suggests that hemin is related not only to pathogenicity, but also energy metabolism.

Light-induced modulation of Porphyromonas gingivalis growth

The bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is a clinically significant agent in periodontitis, a disease for which there is no definitive cure. Several groups have attempted to kill this bacterium using low levels of light in the absence of a photosensitizer, with conflicting results. We hypothesize that it is not possible to kill P. gingivalis by targeting endogenous porphyrins for a photochemical reaction. We demonstrated that irradiation of P. gingivalis with 455 or 625 nm light emitting diodes did not induce a photochemical killing of the cultures. Controlled temperature experiments indicate that irradiation at either wavelength did not significantly impact the growth of P. gingivalis cultures, as compared to non-irradiated controls. Rather, the irradiation caused a temperature increase in the growth medium, which altered the growth of the cultures. These results indicate that heat-induced killing of P. gingivalis could be the mechanism behind successful irradiation experiments with this bacterium.

In vitro environmental regulation of Porphyromonas gingivalis growth and virulence

Porphyromonas gingivalis appears to be a major contributor to periodontal disease, especially soft tissue destruction, which is reflected by the ability to cause invasive, spreading lesions, and tissue inflammation in a murine abscess model. This study investigated the role of hemin on the regulation of growth and virulence of P. gingivalis strains. P. gingivalis strains W50, A7A1-28, 3079, 381, W50/BEI, and NG4B19 were grown in broth and on blood agar plates. P. gingivalis cells grown under iron-depleted conditions for multiple passages showed significantly decreased lesion size in mice, in contrast to cells grown under iron-normal (5 microg/ml) and iron-elevated conditions. Statistically significant (P < 0.01) decreases in gingipain enzyme activity were found among the strains grown under iron-depleted conditions. P. gingivalis grown in the presence of blood induced significantly different lesion type, lesion size, lesion onset, and mortality. Elevated hemin resulted in increased cell-associated iron in P. gingivalis, which increased the capacity of the microorganism to survive at times of iron deprivation. These results indicate that hemin or iron availability regulates multiple aspects related to P. gingivalis virulence, including growth, survival, gingipain levels, and iron accumulation.

Environmental regulation of recA gene expression in Porphyromonas gingivalis

The recA gene product in Porphyromonas gingivalis is involved in DNA repair. Further, disruption of this gene can affect the proteolytic activity and expression of other virulence factors in this organism. Since several known environmental factors can influence virulence gene expression in P. gingivalis, we investigated the influence of these signals on the expression of the recA gene in this organism. A heterodiploid strain of P. gingivalis (designated FLL118) containing a transcriptional fusion of the recA promoter region and the promoterless tetracycline-resistant gene [tetA(Q)2] and xylosidase/arabinosidase (xa) gene cassette was constructed. The recA promoter activity was assessed by measurement of xylosidase activity in FLL118. The expression remained relatively constant during different growth phases, at different pH levels and in the presence of DNA-damaging agents. In response to hemin limitation and in the presence of calcium there was a moderate increase in recA promoter activity. Temperature also affected the expression. The highest level of xylosidase activity was observed in cultures at 32 degrees C with a decline of approximately 46% as growth temperature increased to 41 degrees C. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that this regulation may be occurring at the transcriptional level. These results suggest that expression of the recA gene in P. gingivalis W83 is responsive to several environmental signals but is not regulated by a DNA damage-inducible SOS-like regulatory system.

Environmental cues and gene expression in Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Microorganisms typically adapt to environmental cues by turning on and off the expression of virulence genes which, in turn, allows for optimal growth and survival within different environmental niches. This adaptation strategy includes sensing and responding to changes in nutrients, pH, temperature, oxygen tension, redox potential, microbial flora, and osmolarity. For a bacterium to adhere to, penetrate, replicate in, and colonize host cells, it is critical that virulence genes are expressed during certain periods of the infection process. Thus, throughout the different stages of an infection, different sets of virulence factors are turned on and off in response to different environmental signals, allowing the bacterium to effectively adapt to its varying niche. In this review, we focus on the regulation of virulence gene expression in two pathogens which have been implicated as major etiological agents in adult and juvenile periodontal diseases: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Understanding the mechanisms of virulence gene expression in response to the local environment of the host will provide crucial information in the development of effective treatments targeted at eradication of these periodontal disease pathogens.

The capacity of Porphyromonas gingivalis to multiply under iron-limiting conditions correlates with its pathogenicity in an animal model

Isolates of Porphyromonas gingivalis have various abilities to induce infections in an animal model. The hypothesis of this study was that pathogenic strains of P. gingivalis could multiply under iron-limiting conditions, while non-pathogenic strains could not. Three pathogenic strains (W50, W83, and ATCC 49417) grew to a final optical density (660 nm) > 2 in horse serum, while the growth of the 3 non-pathogenic strains (ATCC 33277, LB13D-2, and HW24D-1) was negligible. When an excess of hemin or ferric chloride was added to the serum, significant growth of the non-pathogenic strains occurred. Under iron-limiting conditions, the pathogenic strains of P. gingivalis had a much lower requirement for human iron-loaded transferrin and hemin than the non-pathogenic strains. Proteolytic degradation of transferrin, which may be associated with the release of iron, was not markedly different for pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. In addition, no relationship could be established between the level of 55Fe uptake from 55Fe-transferrin and the pathogenicity of strains. Our study provided evidence that the ability of P. gingivalis to multiply in vitro under iron-limiting conditions may be correlated with its ability to induce infections in an animal model. Isolates of P. gingivalis possessing a low requirement for iron are likely to have a higher potential for initiating periodontal infections.

Analysis of the effect of changing environmental conditions on the expression patterns of exported surface-associated proteins of the oral pathogen Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been specifically implicated in the aetiology of one or more of the periodontal diseases, conditions in which inflammation of the gums is associated with destruction of the alveolar bone supporting the teeth. In these diseases there is loss of attachment of the gums (gingivae) to the teeth forming a periodontal pocket. The microenvironment of this pocket is extremely complex and it is likely that there will be substantial variation in the environmental conditions operating in this habitat. The aim of the current investigation was to study the effect of disease-relevant environmental factors on the production and release of secreted surface- associated proteins of A. actinomycetemcomitans. These secreted proteins contain many of the virulence determinants of this organism. A range of environmental conditions were investigated: growth in a CO(2)-enriched aerobic atmosphere vs anaerobic growth, presence of serum or blood, biofilm vs planktonic mode of growth and iron depletion. Differential expression of a number of the secreted surface-associated proteins was observed under different growth conditions and these included the glycolytic enzyme triose phosphate isomerase. An ability to adapt to prevailing environmental conditions may facilitate the survival of the organism in the changing microIenvironment of the periodontal pocket.

Specific antibodies to Porphyromonas gingivalis Lys-gingipain by DNA vaccination inhibit bacterial binding to hemoglobin and protect mice from infection

Lys-gingipain (KGP), a lysine-specific cysteine proteinase, is one of the major virulence factors of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Here we examined the involvement of the catalytic domain of KGP (KGP(cd)) in hemoglobin binding by P. gingivalis, using a specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) elicited by the administration of plasmid DNA encoding KGP(cd) or the catalytic domain of Arg-gingipain (RGP(cd)). The pSeq2A/kgp(cd) and pSeq2B/rgp(cd) plasmids were constructed by the ligation of kgp(cd) and rgp(cd) DNA fragments, respectively. Female BALB/c mice were immunized with each of these plasmids. pSeq2A/kgp(cd) elicited a strong response to recombinant KGP(cd) (rKGP(cd)), as well as to comparably produced rRGP(cd)-reactive antibodies. The serum antibodies elicited by pSecTag2B/rgp(cd) also cross-reacted with rKGP(cd) as well as rRGP(cd). Anti-KGP(cd) IgG significantly inhibited hemoglobin binding by P. gingivalis. Furthermore, the inhibition of hemoglobin binding was markedly enhanced by a combination of anti-KGP(cd) and anti-fimbriae. Anti-RGP(cd) IgG showed a negligible inhibitory effect, while both anti-KGP(cd) and anti-RGP(cd) IgGs showed significant inhibitory effects on Lys- and Arg-specific proteolytic activities and on the growth of P. gingivalis under iron-restricted conditions where supplemented hemoglobin was the sole iron source. Immunized mice were challenged by intraperitoneal inoculation with P. gingivalis. All nonimmunized mice died within 72 h; however, vaccination with pSeq2A/kgp(cd) and pSeq2B/rgp(cd) prevented inflammatory responses and prolonged the survival rate of immunized mice by 43 and 27%, respectively. These results suggest that KGP(cd) acts as a hemoglobin-binding protein and can also be useful as an immunogen inducing a protective response to P. gingivalis infection.

Altered antigenicity in periodontitis patients and decreased adhesion of Porphyromonas gingivalis by environmental temperature stress

Periodontopathogenic bacteria survive various environmental changes during the progression of periodontal disease. Alterations in metabolism and protein expression will have to take place to adapt their physiological functions to environmental stress. We examined the effects of an elevation of 2 degrees C in temperature on the adhesive ability and antigenicity of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Elevation of growth temperature of P. gingivalis from 37 degrees C to 39 degrees C remarkably suppressed the expression of surface filamentous structures, such as fimbriae, as well as the adhesive capacities to salivary components and Streptococcus oralis. Sera of severe periodontitis patients revealed a marked increase in serological activity with 39 degrees C cells than with 37 degrees C cells. The alteration of protein profiles of bacterial surface components by temperature elevation was demonstrated by SDS-PAGE, and their Western blot profiles were also different from those of cells grown at 37 degrees C. Although a uniform trend was not found in the altered patterns, sera from severe periodontitis patients detected more antigenic proteins in cells grown at 39 degrees C than 37 degrees C cells. These observations suggest that P. gingivalis downregulates the expression of fimbriae and alters its adhesive capacity and antigenicity by the temperature stress that could occur during the disease progression.

Acquisition of iron from human transferrin by Porphyromonas gingivalis: a role for Arg- and Lys-gingipain activities

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key causative agent of adult periodontitis, is known to produce a variety of virulence factors including proteases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the participation of Arg- and Lys-gingipain activities of P. gingivalis in the acquisition of iron from human transferrin and its subsequent utilization in growth. Iron-saturated transferrin was found to support the long-term growth of P. gingivalis. Our results indicated that P. gingivalis does not produce siderophore and does not possess ferric reductase and transferrin-binding activities. Incubating transferrin with P. gingivalis resulted in degradation of the protein, a step that may be critical for the acquisition of iron from transferrin. Spontaneous and site-directed mutants of P. gingivalis deficient in one or several proteases were used to demonstrate the key role of specific enzymes in degradation of transferrin and subsequent utilization for growth. The lack of both Arg- and Lys-gingipain activities (mutants M1 and KDP128) was associated with an absence of degradation of transferrin and the incapacity of bacteria to grow in the presence of transferrin as the sole source of iron. It was also found that the Lys-gingipain activity is more critical than the Arg-gingipain activity since the mutant KDP112 (deficient in Arg-gingipain A and B) could grow whereas the mutant KDP129 (deficient in Lys-gingipain) could not. The fact that growth of mutant KDP112 was associated with a lower final optical density and a generation time much longer compared with the parent strain suggests that the Arg-gingipain activity also participates in the acquisition of iron from transferrin. Selected inhibitors of cysteine proteases (TLCK, leupeptin and cathepsin B inhibitor II) were tested for their capacity to reduce or inhibit the growth of P. gingivalis under different iron conditions. All three inhibitors were found to completely inhibit growth of strain ATCC 33277 in a medium supplemented with transferrin as the source of iron. The inhibitors had no effects when the bacteria were grown in a medium containing hemin instead of transferrin. The ability of P. gingivalis to cleave transferrin may be an important mechanism for the acquisition of iron from this protein during periodontitis.

A Porphyromonas gingivalis genetic locus encoding a heme transport system

Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated in the onset and progression of periodontitis and the availability of hemin for in vitro growth has been associated with virulence of the bacterium in animal models. We report here the cloning and sequence analysis of a P. gingivalis TonB-linked outer membrane receptor gene tlr. This gene was previously identified as a TonB-linked adhesin gene tla and shown to be essential for growth at low concentrations of hemin. The tlr gene is immediately downstream of four open reading frames (htrABCD) that encode a putative ATP binding cassette transport system with sequence similarlity to heme transport systems of other bacteria. Analysis of P. gingivalis W50 mRNA revealed that the htrABCD genes are cotranscribed similar to hemin transport genes of other bacteria.

Characterization of a novel outer membrane hemin-binding protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram-negative, anaerobic coccobacillus that has been implicated as a major etiological agent in the development of chronic periodontitis. In this paper, we report the characterization of a protein, IhtB (iron heme transport; formerly designated Pga30), that is an outer membrane hemin-binding protein potentially involved in iron assimilation by P. gingivalis. IhtB was localized to the cell surface of P. gingivalis by Western blot analysis of a Sarkosyl-insoluble outer membrane preparation and by immunocytochemical staining of whole cells using IhtB peptide-specific antisera. The protein, released from the cell surface, was shown to bind to hemin using hemin-agarose. The growth of heme-limited, but not heme-replete, P. gingivalis cells was inhibited by preincubation with IhtB peptide-specific antisera. The ihtB gene was located between an open reading frame encoding a putative TonB-linked outer membrane receptor and three open reading frames that have sequence similarity to ATP binding cassette transport system operons in other bacteria. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of IhtB showed significant similarity to the Salmonella typhimurium protein CbiK, a cobalt chelatase that is structurally related to the ATP-independent family of ferrochelatases. Molecular modeling indicated that the IhtB amino acid sequence could be threaded onto the CbiK fold with the IhtB structural model containing the active-site residues critical for chelatase activity. These results suggest that IhtB is a peripheral outer membrane chelatase that may remove iron from heme prior to uptake by P. gingivalis.

Characterization and expression of HmuR, a TonB-dependent hemoglobin receptor of Porphyromonas gingivalis

The gram-negative pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis requires hemin for growth. Hemoglobin bound to haptoglobin and hemin complexed to hemopexin can be used as heme sources, indicating that P. gingivalis must have a means to remove the hemin from these host iron-binding proteins. However, the specific mechanisms utilized by P. gingivalis for the extraction of heme from heme-binding proteins and for iron transport are poorly understood. In this study we have determined that a newly identified TonB-dependent hemoglobin-hemin receptor (HmuR) is involved in hemoglobin binding and utilization in P. gingivalis A7436. HmuR shares amino acid homology with TonB-dependent outer membrane receptors of gram-negative bacteria involved in the acquisition of iron from hemin and hemoglobin, including HemR of Yersinia enterocolitica, ShuA of Shigella dysenteriae, HpuB of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, HmbR of N. meningitidis, HgbA of Haemophilus ducreyi, and HgpB of H. influenzae. Southern blot analysis confirmed the presence of the hmuR gene and revealed genetic variability in the carboxy terminus of hmuR in P. gingivalis strains 33277, 381, W50, and 53977. We also identified directly upstream of the hmuR gene a gene which we designated hmuY. Upstream of the hmuY start codon, a region with homology to the Fur binding consensus sequence was identified. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that hmuR and hmuY were cotranscribed and that transcription was negatively regulated by iron. Inactivation of hmuR resulted in a decreased ability of P. gingivalis to bind hemoglobin and to grow with hemoglobin or hemin as sole iron sources. Escherichia coli cells expressing recombinant HmuR were shown to bind hemoglobin and hemin. Furthermore, purified recombinant HmuR was demonstrated to bind hemoglobin. Taken together, these results indicate that HmuR serves as the major TonB-dependent outer membrane receptor involved in the utilization of both hemin and hemoglobin in P. gingivalis.

Hemoglobinase activity of the lysine gingipain protease (Kgp) of Porphyromonas gingivalis W83

Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important periodontal disease pathogen, forms black-pigmented colonies on blood agar. Pigmentation is believed to result from accumulation of iron protoporphyrin IX (FePPIX) derived from erythrocytic hemoglobin. The Lys-X (Lys-gingipain) and Arg-X (Arg-gingipain) cysteine proteases of P. gingivalis bind and degrade erythrocytes. We have observed that mutations abolishing activity of the Lys-X-specific cysteine protease, Kgp, resulted in loss of black pigmentation of P. gingivalis W83. Because the hemagglutinating and hemolytic potentials of mutant strains were reduced but not eliminated, we hypothesized that this protease played a role in acquisition of FePPIX from hemoglobin. In contrast to Arg-gingipain, Lys-gingipain was not inhibited by hemin, suggesting that this protease played a role near the cell surface where high concentrations of hemin confer the black pigmentation. Human hemoglobin contains 11 Lys residues in the alpha chain and 10 Lys residues in the beta chain. In contrast, there are only three Arg residues in each of the alpha and beta chains. These observations are consistent with human hemoglobin being a preferred substrate for Lys-gingipain but not Arg-gingipain. The ability of the Lys-gingipain to cleave human hemoglobin at Lys residues was confirmed by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry of hemoglobin fragments resulting from digestion with the purified protease. We were able to detect several of the predicted hemoglobin fragments rendered by digestion with purified Lys-gingipain. Thus, we postulate that the Lys-gingipain of P. gingivalis is a hemoglobinase which plays a role in heme and iron uptake by effecting the accumulation of FePPIX on the bacterial cell surface.

Life below the gum line: pathogenic mechanisms of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative anaerobe, is a major etiological agent in the initiation and progression of severe forms of periodontal disease. An opportunistic pathogen, P. gingivalis can also exist in commensal harmony with the host, with disease episodes ensuing from a shift in the ecological balance within the complex periodontal microenvironment. Colonization of the subgingival region is facilitated by the ability to adhere to available substrates such as adsorbed salivary molecules, matrix proteins, epithelial cells, and bacteria that are already established as a biofilm on tooth and epithelial surfaces. Binding to all of these substrates may be mediated by various regions of P. gingivalis fimbrillin, the structural subunit of the major fimbriae. P. gingivalis is an asaccharolytic organism, with a requirement for hemin (as a source of iron) and peptides for growth. At least three hemagglutinins and five proteinases are produced to satisfy these requirements. The hemagglutinin and proteinase genes contain extensive regions of highly conserved sequences, with posttranslational processing of proteinase gene products contributing to the formation of multimeric surface protein-adhesin complexes. Many of the virulence properties of P. gingivalis appear to be consequent to its adaptations to obtain hemin and peptides. Thus, hemagglutinins participate in adherence interactions with host cells, while proteinases contribute to inactivation of the effector molecules of the immune response and to tissue destruction. In addition to direct assault on the periodontal tissues, P. gingivalis can modulate eucaryotic cell signal transduction pathways, directing its uptake by gingival epithelial cells. Within this privileged site, P. gingivalis can replicate and impinge upon components of the innate host defense. Although a variety of surface molecules stimulate production of cytokines and other participants in the immune response, P. gingivalis may also undertake a stealth role whereby pivotal immune mediators are selectively inactivated. In keeping with its strict metabolic requirements, regulation of gene expression in P. gingivalis can be controlled at the transcriptional level. Finally, although periodontal disease is localized to the tissues surrounding the tooth, evidence is accumulating that infection with P. gingivalis may predispose to more serious systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and to delivery of preterm infants.

Hemoglobin-binding protein purified from Porphyromonas gingivalis is identical to lysine-specific cysteine proteinase (Lys-gingipain)

The functional protein that binds to human hemoglobin (hemoglobin-binding protein; HBP) was purified from Porphyromonas gingivalis cells. The analyses of the amino-terminal sequence and amino acid composition revealed that HBP is identical to lysine-specific cysteine proteinase (51 kDa Lys-gingipain; KGP) of P. gingivalis 381. It is a novel finding that KGP has binding affinity to hemoglobin. The binding activity of HBP was enhanced by acidic or anaerobic conditions. Arg-gingipain, a member of the gingipain family, of P. gingivalis exhibited no ability to bind to hemoglobin. The recombinant protein of KGP (r-KGP) generated in Escherichia coli showed both hemoglobin-binding and proteolytic activities. The treatment of r-KGP by protein disulfide isomerase effectively enhanced binding to hemoglobin, whereas the proteinase activity was decreased. The treated r-KGP significantly inhibited the binding of hemoglobin to the whole cell extracts in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the hemoglobin binding of P. gingivalis is mediated by KGP through active domain(s) distinct from that for proteinase activity.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial effect of lactoferrin on Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens

The antimicrobial effect of lactoferrin (apoLf) on the oral, black-pigmented anaerobes Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and P. nitrescens has been studied. ApoLf did not kill any of these species but it did inhibit the growth of P. gingivalis, while iron-saturated Lf (FeLf) had no effect. The other two species were unaffected by apoLf. This growth inhibitory effect of apoLf could not be explained on the basis of chelation of inorganic iron, since growth of P. gingivalis occurred in the presence of ethylenediamine di-o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid provided haemin was added. Both apoLf and FeLf reduced haemin uptake by all three species and caused the release of cell-bound haemin in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, haemin reduced the binding of both apoLf and FeLf to P. intermedia and P. nigrescens but stimulated the binding of Lf by P. gingivalis. These data suggest that Lf forms complexes with haemin in solution and competes for the binding of haemin to certain cell receptors, possibly lipopolysaccharides, but this is not sufficient to inhibit growth of the bacteria. P. gingivalis appears to bind Lf-haemin complexes, as well as haemin alone, which may facilitate access of the Lf to the outer and cytoplasmic membranes of P. gingivalis, so disrupting function.

Common themes in microbial pathogenicity revisited

Bacterial pathogens employ a number of genetic strategies to cause infection and, occasionally, disease in their hosts. Many of these virulence factors and their regulatory elements can be divided into a smaller number of groups based on the conservation of similar mechanisms. These common themes are found throughout bacterial virulence factors. For example, there are only a few general types of toxins, despite a large number of host targets. Similarly, there are only a few conserved ways to build the bacterial pilus and nonpilus adhesins used by pathogens to adhere to host substrates. Bacterial entry into host cells (invasion) is a complex mechanism. However, several common invasion themes exist in diverse microorganisms. Similarly, once inside a host cell, pathogens have a limited number of ways to ensure their survival, whether remaining within a host vacuole or by escaping into the cytoplasm. Avoidance of the host immune defenses is key to the success of a pathogen. Several common themes again are employed, including antigenic variation, camouflage by binding host molecules, and enzymatic degradation of host immune components. Most virulence factors are found on the bacterial surface or secreted into their immediate environment, yet virulence factors operate through a relatively small number of microbial secretion systems. The expression of bacterial pathogenicity is dependent upon complex regulatory circuits. However, pathogens use only a small number of biochemical families to express distinct functional factors at the appropriate time that causes infection. Finally, virulence factors maintained on mobile genetic elements and pathogenicity islands ensure that new strains of pathogens evolve constantly. Comprehension of these common themes in microbial pathogenicity is critical to the understanding and study of bacterial virulence mechanisms and to the development of new "anti-virulence" agents, which are so desperately needed to replace antibiotics.

Hemin-induced modifications of the antigenicity and hemin-binding capacity of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide

Previous studies have shown that the physical, biochemical, and antigenic properties of the bacterial outer membrane are profoundly influenced by the growth environment. In the present study, the effects of growth in hemin-replete (H+) and hemin-depleted (H-) media on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis were investigated. Our studies show that LPS from P. gingivalis cultured in H+ media (H+LPS) expressed additional low-molecular-mass antigens, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot (immunoblot) analysis. Particularly evident was a 26-kDa antigen (26 LPSC) that was lost from the LPS upon transfer of P. gingivalis into H- media. The loss of the 26 LPSC was accompanied by a marked reduction in the hemin-binding capacity of the LPS. The 26 LPSC was refractory to Coomassie blue staining and proteinase K digestion. H+LPS from strain W50/BE1, a nonpigmented pleiotropic strain, lacked the 26 LPSC and did not bind hemin. Polyclonal antiserum raised to whole-cell antigens of P. gingivalis A7436, W83, and HG405 grown in H+ media, but not in H- media, recognized the 26 LPSC in the purified H+LPS from any of the three strains. The immunoreactivities of sera from humans with (n = 24) or without (n = 25) periodontitis to the 26 LPSC and other H+LPS determinants were analyzed by Western blot. Overall, 75% of adult periodontitis patient sera reacted with multiple bands in the H+LPS stepladder, particularly in the range of 14 to 27 kDa. In contrast, only 20% of control sera reacted faintly with H+LPS bands in the range 27 to 34 kDa. The 26 LPSC was recognized by over 40% of sera from adult patients with periodontitis and none of the healthy control sera. Taken together, these results suggest that the antigenicity and hemin-binding properties of P. gingivalis LPS can be modified by growth in H+ media.

Binding and accumulation of hemin in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The ability to utilize hemin and hemin-containing compounds for nutritional iron (Fe) uptake has been documented for several pathogenic bacteria. Neisseria gonorrhoeae can utilize free hemin as a source of Fe for growth; however, little is known concerning the mechanisms involved in hemin transport. In this study we have characterized the binding and accumulation of hemin by N. gonorrhoeae and defined the specificity of the gonococcal hemin receptor. N. gonorrhoeae F62 was grown in a chemically defined medium containing the iron chelator Desferal, and hemin transport was initiated by the addition of [59Fe]hemin (4.0 or 8.0 microM; specific activity, 7.0 Ci/mol). 59Fe uptake from radiolabeled hemin by N. gonorrhoeae was energy dependent, and 59Fe was shown to accumulate in the cell at a constant rate during logarithmic growth. However, we observed a decrease in the uptake of 59Fe from radiolabeled hemin when inorganic iron was present in the growth medium. Binding of 59Fe from radiolabeled hemin was inhibited by the addition of either cold hemin, hematoporphyrin, or hemoglobin, but not by ferric citrate. Although [14C]hemin was found to support the growth of N. gonorrhoeae, we did not detect the uptake of 14C from radiolabeled hemin. Extraction of the gonococcal periplasmic ferric binding protein (Fbp) from cultures grown with [59Fe]hemin indicated that a majority of the 59Fe was associated with the Fbp. Taken together, the results presented here indicate that hemin binds to a gonococcal outer membrane receptor through the protoporphyrin portion of the molecule and that following binding, iron is removed and transported into the cell, where it is associated with the gonococcal periplasmic ferric binding protein, Fbp.

Characterization of a Tn4351-generated hemin uptake mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis: evidence for the coordinate regulation of virulence factors by hemin

The ability of Porphyromonas gingivalis to acquire iron in the iron-limited environment of the host is crucial to the colonization of this organism. We report here on the isolation and characterization of a transpositional insertion mutant of P. gingivalis A7436 (designated MSM-3) which is defective in the utilization and transport of hemin. P. gingivalis MSM-3 was selected on the basis of its nonpigmented phenotype on anaerobic blood agar following mutagenesis with the Bacteroides fragilis transposon Tn4351. P. gingivalis MSM-3 grew poorly when supplied with hemin as a sole source of iron; however, growth was observed with hemoglobin or inorganic iron. P. gingivalis MSM-3 grown in either hemin-replete or hemin-depleted conditions bound and transported less [14C]hemin or [59Fe]hemin than did the parent strain. At 4 h, P. gingivalis MSM-3 grown in hemin-replete conditions transported only 10,000 pmol of hemin per mg of protein, or 14% of the amount transported by P. gingivalis A7436. Unlike P. gingivalis A7436, hemin binding and transport by P. gingivalis MSM-3 were not tightly regulated by hemin or iron. Examination of P. gingivalis MSM-3 cultures by electron microscopy revealed an overproduction of membrane vesicles, and determination of the dry weight of purified vesicles indicated that P. gingivalis MSM-3 produced twice as much membrane vesicles as did strain A7436. Extracellular vesicles isolated from P. gingivalis MSM-3 also were found to express increased hemolytic and trypsin-like protease activities compared with the parent strain. When inoculated into subcutaneous chambers implanted in mice, P. gingivalis MSM-3 was highly infectious and more invasive than the parent strain, as indicated by secondary lesion formation and death. Taken together, these results indicate that the decreased transport of hemin by P. gingivalis MSM-3 results in the increased expression of several virulence factors which may be coordinately regulated by hemin.