title: [Clinical association of gingipain K-caspase like subdomain expression of Porphyromonas gingivalis with puberty gingivitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect and compare the activity and intensity of gingipain K (Kgp)-caspase like subdomain in culture medium and cell extract of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) isolates in puberty gingivitis and to reveal the possible association of Kgp with puberty gingivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six children of 14 to 17 years old were enrolled in this study. Clinical parameters including gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI) and probing depth (PD) were evaluated. Subgingival plaque samples were collected and Pg isolates were obtained. 16S rRNA PCR was used to confirm Pg clinical isolates. Bacteria were grown in batches of BHI base and harvested at the end of log-phase growth. Culture fractions (culture medium and cell extract) of 10 Pg isolates were performed with SDS-PAGE and Western blot technique using primary antibody against specific Kgp-caspase like subdomain. Activity of Kgp in both samples was detected as well. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 11.5 software. The relationship between the Kgp intensity/activity of Kgp and the clinical parameters was statistically analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was positive correlation between the intensity/activity of Kgp and the clinical parameters (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Kgp in clinical isolates of Pg from puberty gingivitis is in complicated forms. Caspase-like molecules with low molecular weight may exist as intracellular functional protein molecules which can affect the interaction between Pg and host. Kgp was contributes in certain degree to the pathogenesis of puberty gingivitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110002, China.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhi-hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Zong
authors.forename: Ya-ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D000080867:Gingipain Cysteine Endopeptidases; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D000080867:Gingipain Cysteine Endopeptidases; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases