title: Studies on the virulence properties and metabolism of pleiotropic mutants of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Bacteroides gingivalis) W50.
abstract: Porphyromonas gingivalis (Bacteroides gingivalis) strain W50 and variants isolated from continuous culture designated W50/BP1 (black pigmented), W50/BR1 (brown pigmented) and W50/BE1 (beige or non-pigmented) were previously shown to lose virulence with the loss of pigmentation. Major properties which may affect the virulence and metabolism of P. gingivalis were compared amongst the 4 strains. The non-pigmented strain lost the ability to hemagglutinate sheep erythrocyte, had a reduced hydrophobicity and possessed lower levels of proteolytic activity. Defects in the electron transport system occurred at the level of cytochrome b but not menaquinone synthesis and resulted in an altered metabolic end product profile of the non-pigmented strain.
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Seddon
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gharbia
mesh_terms: D001439:Bacteroides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*