Journal of International College of Dentists

Page: 67-68

The gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is associated with adult periodontal disease in humans and uses a number of adhesin molecules, including fimbriae, hemagglutinins and protease/adhesion complexes, to aid colonization of the oral cavity. Although each of these molecules possesses a degree of functional redundancy with respect to one another, it is becoming apparent that each molecule may in fact have a preferred, discrete role under the competitive conditions found within the dynamic environment of the oral cavity in vivo. Porphyromonas gingivalis, employs a number of pathogenic mechanisms, including protease/adhesin complexes (gingipains), fimbriae and hemagglutinins, to maintain attachment within colonized hosts. The gingipain protease/adhesion complexes are believed to allow bacterial cells to associate intimately with proteins in the gum matrix, prior to the secretion and dissemination of the enzymes through the oral cavity leading to the destruction of integral matrix proteins. It is likely that the gingipains are dominant factors in the physically destructive aspects of infection and associated diseases. This review article reviews the current literature on gingipains.