Construction of a novel oral health indicator based on an oral microbiota culture model

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10456
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57080:Social dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Mashimo Chiho 大阪歯科大学, 歯学部, 講師 (80368159)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 沖永 敏則 大阪歯科大学, 歯学部, 教授 (60582773) ; 南部 隆之 大阪歯科大学, 歯学部, 講師 (80367903)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔善玉菌 / 硝酸還元菌 / Rothia属細菌 / 遺伝子改変

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The results of oral metagenome analysis have revealed that the activity of several bacterial species is crucial for maintaining a healthy oral state. A shared characteristic of these bacteria is their nitrate-reducing activity. They reduce nitrate ions in saliva, producing nitrite ions and nitric oxide, which have bactericidal effects. Among these, it has been found that bacteria of the Rothia spp. particularly contribute to the promotion of oral and overall health. However, due to the lack of genetic modification techniques for Rothia spp., their functions at the genetic level have not been elucidated. In this study, we isolated Rothia spp. from the oral cavity and established a foundation for genetic modification techniques. As a result, it became possible to create genetically modified strains. This enables the construction of indicators to monitor the fluctuations of oral microbiota centered around Rothia spp. at the molecular level.

Free Research Field

口腔細菌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、口腔の主な硝酸還元菌であるRothia属細菌の働きを遺伝子レベルで解析することが可能となった。体内の硝酸イオン動態は個体の健康維持に重要であり、特に、entero -salivary nitrate metabolismでは口腔細菌の働きが必須である。Rothia属細菌は口腔における高い硝酸還元活性を保有する代表菌であるので、Rothia属細菌を遺伝子レベルでコントロールすることにより、口腔の硝酸イオンを中心とした細菌叢バランスの変化を捉えるモデル実験系を確立できる。最終的には口腔硝酸還元活性と全身健康の増進の間を結ぶ指標を作る可能性ができたと考える。