Related Experiment Videos
Characterization of Porphyromonas gingivalis insertion sequence-like element ISPg5.
J V Califano1, T Kitten, J P Lewis
1Department of Periodontics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA. califano@vcu.edu
Infection and Immunity
|August 19, 2000
Summary
Porphyromonas gingivalis exhibits strain diversity, potentially driven by insertion sequence (IS)-like elements. A novel IS element, ISPg5, was identified and may be useful for P. gingivalis strain fingerprinting.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen in periodontitis.
- Significant variability exists among P. gingivalis strains, suggesting genetic mechanisms for diversity.
- Intragenomic changes, such as insertion sequence (IS) elements, are potential drivers of this variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of IS-like elements in Porphyromonas gingivalis strain W83.
- To identify novel repetitive DNA sequences within the P. gingivalis genome.
- To explore the role of IS elements in P. gingivalis strain diversity.
Main Methods:
- Adaptation of a DNA sequence capture method to isolate repetitive elements.
- Analysis of the P. gingivalis W83 genome sequence, focusing on CTAG tetranucleotide clusters.
- Identification and characterization of a novel IS-like element, designated ISPg5.
- Southern analysis of various P. gingivalis strains using a recombinant plasmid containing ISPg5.
Main Results:
- Isolation and cloning of IS-like sequences, including known IS elements and a novel element.
- Discovery of 11 copies of the novel IS-like element (ISPg5) within the P. gingivalis W83 genome.
- ISPg5, a 1,512-bp element, shares features with the IS3 family of IS elements.
- Southern analysis revealed apparent diversity among P. gingivalis strains, suggesting differential distribution of ISPg5.
Conclusions:
- Novel insertion sequence elements, like ISPg5, are present in Porphyromonas gingivalis.
- These IS elements likely contribute to the genetic diversity observed among P. gingivalis strains.
- ISPg5 and other IS elements show potential for use in P. gingivalis strain fingerprinting and epidemiological studies.