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Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells
Published on: December 17, 2015
The RagA and RagB proteins of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Jan Potempa1,2, Mariusz Madej2, David A Scott1
1Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Abstract:
RagA and RagB proteins are major components of the outer membrane of the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and, while recently suggested to represent a novel peptide uptake system, their full function is still under investigation. Herein, we (a) discuss the evidence that the rag locus contributes to P. gingivalis virulence; (b) provide insight to Rag protein potential biological function in macromolecular transport and other aspects of bacterial physiology; (c) address the host response to Rag proteins which are immunodominant and immunomodulatory; and (d) review the potential of Rag-focused therapeutic strategies for the control of periodontal diseases.
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