Histatin 5 is a substrate and not an inhibitor of the Arg- and Lys-specific proteinases of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Abstract

The salivary peptide histatin 5 has been reported to be an inhibitor of the Arg- and Lys-specific proteinases of Porphyromonas gingivalis, an oral pathogen associated with periodontitis. In this study a purified P. gingivalis proteinase preparation consisting of a complex of the Arg- and Lys-specific proteinases and adhesins was assayed using chromogenic substrates in the presence of histatin 5. Histatin 5 produced a concentration-dependent decrease in the initial rate of hydrolysis of the chromogenic substrates by both proteinases. However, pre-incubation of histatin 5 with the purified proteinase preparation or a P. gingivalis cell sonicate for 10 min prior to assay with the chromogenic su..