title: L-Methionine-gamma-lyase, as a target to inhibit malodorous bacterial growth by trifluoromethionine.
abstract: Methyl mercaptan is a major component responsible for oral malodor. This compound arises from the bacterial metabolism of methionine. Here we show that the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal microorganism that produces large amounts of methyl mercaptan, was strongly inhibited by l-trifluoromethionine (TFM), a fluorinated derivative of methionine. In contrast, TFM had no effect on the growth of bacteria which do not produce methyl mercaptan. In addition, the survival rate of P. gingivalis-infected mice was remarkably increased by the co-injection of TFM. These results suggest that TFM is a promising antibacterial agent specific to the malodorous oral bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Kyushu University Faculty of Dental Science, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, Higashi-ku, 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Mamiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakano
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016866:Bacteroidaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013437:Carbon-Sulfur Lyases / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000209:etiology; D008715:Methionine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D015996:Survival Rate; D014774:Virulence / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C037646:trifluoromethionine; D008715:Methionine; D013437:Carbon-Sulfur Lyases; C021558:L-methionine gamma-lyase