Open AccessHemin‐binding property of Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membranes
Author(s) -
Grenier Daniel
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1991.tb04319.x
Subject(s) - hemin , porphyromonas gingivalis , membrane , bacteroidaceae , chemistry , bacterial outer membrane , periodontal pathogen , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , pathogen , biophysics , biology , bacteria , enzyme , heme , escherichia coli , gene , genetics
Summary The present study indicates that the outer membranes of Porphyromonas gingivalis have a high affinity for hemin, an essential growth factor for this suspected periodontal pathogen. The hemin‐binding property appears to be mediated by the lipopolysaccharides, particularly the lipid A region. It is suggested that this binding mechanism may be important for the growth and establishment of P. gingivalis in environments with a low hemin content such as periodontal pockets.