Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
12:16
Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells
Published on: December 17, 2015
VimA mediates multiple functions that control virulence in Porphyromonas gingivalis
A W Aruni1, A Robles, H M Fletcher
1Division of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
Molecular Oral Microbiology
|January 3, 2013
Summary
Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence is modulated by the vimA gene, which impacts oxidative stress resistance and surface protein modifications. Acetylation likely controls vimA’s multiple functions, crucial for bacterial survival in periodontal disease.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Oral Health
Background:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen in periodontal disease.
- This bacterium utilizes complex regulatory networks for survival and virulence.
- The vimA gene is located within a larger genetic locus and is implicated in oxidative stress resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifunctional role of the vimA gene in P. gingivalis.
- To explore vimA's involvement in virulence regulation and survival mechanisms.
- To investigate the potential post-translational regulation of vimA.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of P. gingivalis genetics and virulence factors.
- Analysis of the vimA gene's known functions and interactions.
- Postulation of regulatory mechanisms based on existing data.
Main Results:
- VimA influences oxidative stress resistance.
- VimA modulates glycosylation, sialylation, and lipid A modifications.
- VimA is involved in protein sorting and transport.
- VimA plays a role in the anchorage of surface proteins like gingipains.
Conclusions:
- VimA is a multifunctional protein critical for P. gingivalis survival and virulence.
- VimA is likely part of a major regulatory network within the bacterium.
- Post-translational acetylation is a proposed mechanism controlling vimA's diverse functions.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Regulation of Bacterial Virulence
Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...
01:28Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
01:27The Oral Microbiota
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
01:28Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments
Fimbriae and pili are specialized bacterial surface structures that play pivotal roles in adhesion, genetic exchange, and motility. Composed primarily of pilin protein, these hairlike appendages are crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity in various environments.Fimbriae: Adhesion and PathogenicityFimbriae are fine, filamentous structures measuring 2–10 nanometers in diameter and are densely distributed on the bacterial cell surface. They facilitate bacterial adhesion to abiotic...
01:29Biofilms
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
01:18Functions of the Gut Microbiota
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...