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Coaggregation of Prevotella intermedia with oral Actinomyces species
W E Nesbitt1, H Fukushima, K P Leung
1Periodontal Disease Research Center, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
Abstract:
Five strains of Prevotella intermedia were examined for their ability to coaggregate with various gram-positive and gram-negative species of oral bacteria. Two of the P. intermedia strains coaggregated with selected Actinomyces species, P. intermedia 27 with Actinomyces viscosus T14V and Actinomyces naeslundii ATCC 12104, PK606, PK984, and PK947, and P. intermedia 113 with Actinomyces odontolyticus WVU 1546 and Actinomyces israelii WVU 838. Exposure of both Prevotella strains but not the Actinomyces strains to heat, trypsin, or proteinase K abolished most coaggregations. All pairs were disaggregated by the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate, but only those coaggregations involving P. intermedia 113 were reversed by the addition of 2.0 M urea. P. intermedia 27 was sensitive to periodate oxidation, whereas the partner strains were stable to this treatment. Most coaggregations occurred in the presence of saliva; however, reactions involving P. intermedia 27 were not as strong as those of buffer-suspended cells. Treatment of both P. intermedia 113 coaggregations pairs with proteinase K and the results obtained from suspensions of these pairs in saliva suggest that different surface molecules of this P. intermedia strain may mediate each of these coaggregations. These data suggest that all of these coaggregations involve either a protein or glycoprotein on the Prevotella strain, which may interact with carbohydrates or carbohydrate-containing molecules on the surface of the Actinomyces strain.
Insights
Prevotella intermedia strains coaggregate with Actinomyces species, mediated by surface proteins or glycoproteins interacting with Actinomyces carbohydrates. These interactions are sensitive to heat, enzymes, and detergents, suggesting key roles in oral bacterial communities.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Bacterial coaggregation mechanisms
Background:
- Bacterial coaggregation is crucial for oral biofilm formation.
- Prevotella intermedia and Actinomyces species are common oral bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coaggregation capabilities of Prevotella intermedia strains with Actinomyces species.
- To elucidate the molecular basis of these coaggregation interactions.
Main Methods:
- Tested coaggregation between five Prevotella intermedia strains and various Actinomyces species.
- Utilized treatments like heat, trypsin, proteinase K, sodium dodecyl sulfate, urea, and periodate oxidation to probe molecular interactions.
- Observed coaggregation in buffer and saliva.
Main Results:
- Two Prevotella intermedia strains showed specific coaggregation patterns with Actinomyces species.
- Coaggregations were abolished by heat, trypsin, or proteinase K, indicating protein involvement.
- Sodium dodecyl sulfate disaggregated all pairs; urea reversed only some.
- Prevotella intermedia 27 was sensitive to periodate oxidation, unlike Actinomyces.
- Saliva influenced coaggregation strength, with Prevotella intermedia 27 showing weaker reactions.
Conclusions:
- Coaggregation involves Prevotella intermedia surface proteins or glycoproteins interacting with Actinomyces surface carbohydrates.
- Different surface molecules on Prevotella intermedia may mediate distinct coaggregation events.
- These interactions are significant in the context of oral microbial ecology.