Major membrane protein TDE2508 regulates adhesive potency in Treponema denticola.

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24791973
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Morphological basic dentistry
• Research Institution: Tohoku University (2014); Aichi Gakuin University (2012-2013)
• Principal Investigator: ABIKO YUKI 東北大学, 歯学研究科(研究院), 助教 (00470170)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: Ｔｒｅｐｏｎｅｍａ ｄｅｎｔｉｃｏｌａ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, We then analyzed proteins in a membrane fraction in T. denticola and identified 16 major membrane-associated proteins, and characterized one of them, TDE2508, whose biological function was not yet known. Although this protein, which exhibited a complex conformation, was presumably localized in the outer membrane, we did not find conclusive evidence that it was exposed on the cell surface. Intriguingly, a TDE2508-deficient mutant exhibited significantly increased biofilm formation and adherent activity on human gingival epithelial cells. However, the protein deficiency did not alter autoaggregation, coaggregation with Porphyromonas gingivalis, hemagglutination, cell surface hydrophobicity, motility, or expression of Msp which was reported to be an adherent molecule in this bacteria. In conclusion, the major membrane protein TDE2508 regulates biofilm formation and the adhesive potency of T. denticola, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Free Research Field

口腔細菌学