Purification and characterization of a putative fimbrial protein/receptor of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Abstract

Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated as a major aetiological agent in certain forms of periodontal disease. P. gingivalis is a Gram-negative, asaccharolytic bacterium that obtains energy from the fermentation of amino acids derived from the hydrolysis of host protein. Virulence factors of this bacterium include the capsule, fimbrial adhesins, cytotoxins and extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. A 43 kDa fimbrillin from P. gingivalis has been isolated and characterized. However, there is evidence that a second type of fimbria exists on the surface of P. gingivalis. A putative P. gingivalis fimbrial protein from a membrane preparation has been isolated and identified. This protein was show..