Comparative transcriptomic analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilm and planktonic cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Porphyromonas gingivalis </it>in subgingival dental plaque, as part of a mature biofilm, has been strongly implicated in the onset and progression of chronic periodontitis. In this study using DNA microarray we compared the global gene expression of a <it>P. gingivalis </it>biofilm with that of its planktonic counterpart grown in the same continuous culture.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Approximately 18% (377 genes, at 1.5 fold or more, <it>P</it>-value < 0.01) of the <it>P. gingivalis </it>genome was differentially expressed when the bacterium was grown as a biofilm. Genes that were down-regulated in biofilm cells, relative to planktonic cells, included those involved in cell envelope biogenesis, DNA replication, energy production and biosynthesis of cofactors, prosthetic groups and carriers. A number of genes encoding transport and binding proteins were up-regulated in <it>P. gingivalis </it>biofilm cells. Several genes predicted to encode proteins involved in signal transduction and transcriptional regulation were differentially regulated and may be important in the regulation of biofilm growth.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study analyzing global gene expression provides insight into the adaptive response of <it>P. gingivalis </it>to biofilm growth, in particular showing a down regulation of genes involved in growth and metabolic activity.</p

Pronova Biopharma - Vurdering av utslipp til Sandefjordsfjorden

Det er gjort en vurdering av hvordan avløpsvann fra Pronova Biopharma kan påvirke oksygenforholdene i Sandefjordsfjorden. Arbeidet har bl.a. omfattet strømmålinger, oksygenprøver og bruk av modeller. Hovedkonklusjonen er at til vanlig vil utslippet bare i meget liten grad påvirke oksygenforholdene. De viktigste elementene i fjordens oksygenbudsjett varierer med tiden, og høsten er den mest sårbare perioden. Man kan ikke se helt bort fra at et sammentreff av flere ugunstige faktorer da kan skape en periode med en merkbar redusert konsentrasjon (til vannkvalitetsklasse Mindre God) i en lokal vannmasse omkring utslippet. Ingen undersøkelser har imidlertid påvist at dette har skjedd.Pronova Biopharma AS, Sandefjord v/ A.L. Steneru

The RgpB C-Terminal Domain Has a Role in Attachment of RgpB to the Outer Membrane and Belongs to a Novel C-Terminal-Domain Family Found in Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis produces outer membrane-attached proteins that include the virulence-associated proteinases RgpA and RgpB (Arg-gingipains) and Kgp (Lys-gingipain). We analyzed the P. gingivalis outer membrane proteome and identified numerous proteins with C-terminal domains similar in sequence to those of RgpB, RgpA, and Kgp, indicating that these domains may have a common function. Using RgpB as a model to investigate the role of the C-terminal domain, we expressed RgpB as a full-length zymogen (recombinant RgpB [rRgpB]), with a catalytic Cys244Ala mutation [rRgpB(C244A)], or with the C-terminal 72 amino acids deleted (rRgpB435) in an Arg-gingipain P. gingivalis mutant (YH522AB) and an Arg- and Lys-gingipain mutant (YH522KAB). rRgpB was catalytically active and located predominantly attached to the outer membrane of both background strains. rRgpB(C244A) was inactive and outer membrane attached, with a typical attachment profile for both background strains according to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but in YH522KAB, the prodomain was not removed. Thus, in vivo, RgpB export and membrane attachment are independent of the proteolytic activity of RgpA, RgpB, or Kgp. However, for maturation involving proteolytic processing of RgpB, the proteolytic activity of RgpB, RgpA, or Kgp is required. The C-terminally-truncated rRgpB435 was not attached to the outer membrane and was located as largely inactive, discrete 71-kDa and 48-kDa isoforms in the culture supernatant and the periplasm. These results suggest that the C-terminal domain is essential for outer membrane attachment and may be involved in a coordinated process of export and attachment to the cell surface

Production and properties of adhesin-free gingipain proteinase RgpA

Abstract The Arg-specific gingipains of Porphyromonas gingivalis RgpA and RgpB have 97% identical sequences in their catalytic domains yet their propeptides are only 76% identical. RgpA isolates as a proteinase–adhesin complex (HRgpA) which hinders direct kinetic comparison of RgpAcat as a monomer with monomeric RgpB. We tested modifications of rgpA identifying a variant that enabled us to isolate histidine-tagged monomeric RgpA (rRgpAH). Kinetic comparisons between rRgpAH and RgpB used benzoyl-l-Arg-4-nitroanilide with and without cysteine and glycylglycine acceptor molecules. With no glycylglycine, values of K m, V max, k cat and k cat/K m for each enzyme were similar, but with glycylglycine K m decreased, V max increased and k cat increased ~ twofold for RgpB but ~ sixfold for rRgpAH. The k cat/K m for rRgpAH was unchanged whereas that of RgpB more than halved. Recombinant RgpA propeptide inhibited rRgpAH and RgpB with K i 13 nM and 15 nM K i respectively slightly more effectively than RgpB propeptide which inhibited rRgpAH and RgpB with K i 22 nM and 29 nM respectively (p < 0.0001); a result that may be attributable to the divergent propeptide sequences. Overall, the data for rRgpAH reflected observations previously made by others using HRgpA, indicating rRgpAH fidelity and confirming the first production and isolation of functional affinity tagged RgpA

C-Terminal Domain Residues Important for Secretion and Attachment of RgpB in Porphyromonas gingivalis▿

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen, expresses a group of surface proteins with a common C-terminal domain (CTD) that are exported by a novel secretion system to the surface, where they are covalently attached. Using RgpB as a model CTD protein, we have produced a series of site-directed mutations in the CTD sequence at conserved residues and at residues that may be modified and, hence, surface attached. The mutant RgpB proteins were expressed in a P. gingivalis host lacking functional RgpB and RgpA Arg-specific proteases. The RgpB mutants produced were Y674F, Y674F Y718F, T675Q S679Q T682Q T684Q, T693Q, F695A, D696A, N698A, G699P, G716P, T724Q, T728Q T730Q, and K732Q and a protein with a deletion of residues 692 to 702 (Δ692-702). The mutants were characterized for cell-associated Arg-specific protease activity and for cellular distribution using anti-Rgp antibodies and Western blotting of culture fractions. All the mutants exhibited cell-associated Arg-specific activity similar to that of the positive control except for the D696A and Δ692-702 mutants. For all mutants, except D696A and Δ692-702, the RgpB proteins were found modified and attached to the cell surface, which was the same profile found in the positive-control strain. Only trace amounts of the precursor form of the Δ692-702 mutant were detected in the outer membrane, with none detected in the periplasm or culture fluid although cell transcript levels were normal. The results suggest that residues 692 to 702 of the CTD, in particular, residue D696, have an important role in the attachment of RgpB at the cell surface and that without attachment secretion does not occur

Type B CTD Proteins Secreted by the Type IX Secretion System Associate with PorP-like Proteins for Cell Surface Anchorage

The Bacteroidetes type IX secretion system (T9SS) consists of at least 20 components that translocate proteins with type A or type B C-terminal domain (CTD) signals across the outer membrane (OM). While type A CTD proteins are anchored to the cell surface via covalent linkage to the anionic lipopolysaccharide, it is still unclear how type B CTD proteins are anchored to the cell surface. Moreover, very little is known about the PorE and PorP components of the T9SS. In this study, for the first time, we identified a complex comprising the OM β-barrel protein PorP, the OM-associated periplasmic protein PorE and the type B CTD protein PG1035. Cross-linking studies supported direct interactions between PorE-PorP and PorP-PG1035. Furthermore, we show that the formation of the PorE-PorP-PG1035 complex was independent of PorU and PorV. Additionally, the Flavobacterium johnsoniae PorP-like protein, SprF, was found bound to the major gliding motility adhesin, SprB, which is also a type B CTD protein. Together, these results suggest that type B-CTD proteins may anchor to the cell surface by binding to their respective PorP-like proteins

Propeptide-mediated inhibition of cognate gingipain proteinases.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis. The organism's cell-surface cysteine proteinases, the Arg-specific proteinases (RgpA, RgpB) and the Lys-specific proteinase (Kgp), which are known as gingipains have been implicated as major virulence factors. All three gingipain precursors contain a propeptide of around 200 amino acids in length that is removed during maturation. The aim of this study was to characterize the inhibitory potential of the Kgp and RgpB propeptides against the mature cognate enzymes. Mature Kgp was obtained from P. gingivalis mutant ECR368, which produces a recombinant Kgp with an ABM1 motif deleted from the catalytic domain (rKgp) that enables the otherwise membrane bound enzyme to dissociate from adhesins and be released. Mature RgpB was obtained from P. gingivalis HG66. Recombinant propeptides of Kgp and RgpB were produced in Escherichia coli and purified using nickel-affinity chromatography. The Kgp and RgpB propeptides displayed non-competitive inhibition kinetics with K(i) values of 2.04 µM and 12 nM, respectively. Both propeptides exhibited selectivity towards their cognate proteinase. The specificity of both propeptides was demonstrated by their inability to inhibit caspase-3, a closely related cysteine protease, and papain that also has a relatively long propeptide. Both propeptides at 100 mg/L caused a 50% reduction of P. gingivalis growth in a protein-based medium. In summary, this study demonstrates that gingipain propeptides are capable of inhibiting their mature cognate proteinases

Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola Exhibit Metabolic Symbioses

International audiencePorphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola are strongly associated with chronic periodontitis. These bacteria have been co-localized in subgingival plaque and demonstrated to exhibit symbiosis in growth in vitro and synergistic virulence upon co-infection in animal models of disease. Here we show that during continuous co-culture a P. gingivalis:T. denticola cell ratio of 6∶1 was maintained with a respective increase of 54% and 30% in cell numbers when compared with mono-culture. Co-culture caused significant changes in global gene expression in both species with altered expression of 184 T. denticola and 134 P. gingivalis genes. P. gingivalis genes encoding a predicted thiamine biosynthesis pathway were up-regulated whilst genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis were down-regulated. T. denticola genes encoding virulence factors including dentilisin and glycine catabolic pathways were significantly up-regulated during co-culture. Metabolic labeling using 13C-glycine showed that T. denticola rapidly metabolized this amino acid resulting in the production of acetate and lactate. P. gingivalis may be an important source of free glycine for T. denticola as mono-cultures of P. gingivalis and T. denticola were found to produce and consume free glycine, respectively; free glycine production by P. gingivalis was stimulated by T. denticola conditioned medium and glycine supplementation of T. denticola medium increased final cell density 1.7-fold. Collectively these data show P. gingivalis and T. denticola respond metabolically to the presence of each other with T. denticola displaying responses that help explain enhanced virulence of co-infections

<i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> Type IX Secretion Substrates Are Cleaved and Modified by a Sortase-Like Mechanism

<div><p>The type IX secretion system (T9SS) of <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> secretes proteins possessing a conserved C-terminal domain (CTD) to the cell surface. The C-terminal signal is essential for these proteins to translocate across the outer membrane via the T9SS. On the surface the CTD of these proteins is cleaved prior to extensive glycosylation. It is believed that the modification on these CTD proteins is anionic lipopolysaccharide (A-LPS), which enables the attachment of CTD proteins to the cell surface. However, the exact site of modification and the mechanism of attachment of CTD proteins to the cell surface are unknown. In this study we characterized two <i>wbaP (PG1964)</i> mutants that did not synthesise A-LPS and accumulated CTD proteins in the clarified culture fluid (CCF). The CTDs of the CTD proteins in the CCF were cleaved suggesting normal secretion, however, the CTD proteins were not glycosylated. Mass spectrometric analysis of CTD proteins purified from the CCF of the <i>wbaP</i> mutants revealed the presence of various peptide/amino acid modifications from the growth medium at the C-terminus of the mature CTD proteins. This suggested that modification occurs at the C-terminus of T9SS substrates in the wild type <i>P</i>. <i>gingivalis</i>. This was confirmed by analysis of CTD proteins from wild type, where a 648 Da linker was identified to be attached at the C-terminus of mature CTD proteins. Importantly, treatment with proteinase K released the 648 Da linker from the CTD proteins demonstrating a peptide bond between the C-terminus and the modification. Together, this is suggestive of a mechanism similar to sortase A for the cleavage and modification/attachment of CTD proteins in <i>P</i>. <i>gingivalis</i>. PG0026 has been recognized as the CTD signal peptidase and is now proposed to be the sortase-like protein in <i>P</i>. <i>gingivalis</i>. To our knowledge, this is the first biochemical evidence suggesting a sortase-like mechanism in Gram-negative bacteria.</p></div