Identification of bistable populations of Porphyromonas gingivalis that differ in epithelial cell invasion.

ABSTRACT: Bistable populations of bacteria give rise to two or more subtypes that exhibit different phenotypes. We have explored whether the periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, exhibits bistable invasive phenotypes. Using a modified cell invasion assay, we show for the first time that there are two distinct sub-types within a population of P.ginigivalis strains NCTC 11834 and W50 that display differences in their ability to invade oral epithelial cells. The highly-invasive sub-types invade cells at 10-30 fold higher levels than the poorly-invasive subtype and remain highly invasive for approximately 12-16 generations. Analysis of the gingipain activity of these sub-types revealed that the highly invasive type had reduced cell-associated arginine specific protease activity. The role of ar

ORGANISM(S): Porphyromonas gingivalis

SUBMITTER: graham stafford 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-23021 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress