title: Stimulation of proteinase and amidase activities in Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis by amino acids and dipeptides.
abstract: Proteolytic enzymes from the organism Porphyromonas gingivalis are believed to be involved in the development of periodontitis. Studies on both crude extracts and purified trypsinlike enzymes from this organism indicate that substantial stimulation of both amidase and proteinase activities can be obtained during incubation with glycine-containing compounds. We postulate that P. gingivalis may have developed this unusual property to take advantage of the glycine-rich environment which occurs during the periodontitis-associated degradation of gingival collagen. The finding of such a stimulation in crevicular fluids from discrete periodontal sites has been correlated with the presence of P. gingivalis and could be utilized for the early detection of infection by this organism during the onset of periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
authors.forename: Z X
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Potempa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polanowski
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renvert
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wikström
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Travis
mesh_terms: D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D002364:Caseins / Q000378:metabolism; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005998:Glycine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002364:Caseins; D004151:Dipeptides; D010450:Endopeptidases; D000581:Amidohydrolases; C019665:amidase; D005998:Glycine