Open AccessMolecular pathogenesis of the cell surface proteins and lipids from Treponema denticola
Author(s) -
Ishihara Kazuyuki,
Okuda Katsuji
Publication year - 1999
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.1574-6968.1999.tb08844.x
Subject(s) - treponema denticola , bacterial outer membrane , pathogen , microbiology and biotechnology , virulence , biology , periodontal pathogen , protease , mutant , pathogenesis , bacteria , gene , biochemistry , porphyromonas gingivalis , genetics , immunology , enzyme , escherichia coli
Treponema denticola , frequently isolated from the human oral cavity, is thought to be a major pathogen of human periodontal disease. Recent developments in molecular analysis have clarified the surface structure of this microorganism and the characteristics of its pathogenic factors. Structural analysis of the outer sheath showed T. denticola to have a new type of outer membrane lipid. Limited exposure of the major outer sheath protein is suggested by electron‐microscopic analysis. A protease‐deficient mutant has revealed the roles of the protease in the organization of the outer sheath material and in T. denticola pathogenicity. The surface features that contribute to the pathogenicity of T. denticola in periodontal disease are gradually being elucidated, and are reviewed.