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Interaction between Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharides and human hemoglobin
D Grenier1, A Leduc, D Mayrand
1Groupe de recherche en écologie buccale, Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. Daniel.Grenier@greb.ulaval.ca
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans utilizes human hemoglobin for iron acquisition, crucial for its growth. The bacterium
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oral Biology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is linked to juvenile periodontitis.
- Bacterial pathogens require iron for growth and virulence.
- Hemoglobin is a potential iron source for oral bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of human hemoglobin in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans growth.
- To determine the mechanism of hemoglobin utilization by A. actinomycetemcomitans.
- To explore the interaction between bacterial lipopolysaccharides and hemoglobin.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial cultivation with human hemoglobin.
- Analysis of cellular protein patterns using SDS-PAGE.
- Characterization of lipopolysaccharide-hemoglobin binding.
- Assessment of polymyxin B inhibition on binding.
Main Results:
- A. actinomycetemcomitans effectively uses human hemoglobin for iron and cell growth.
- Hemoglobin presence minimally alters the bacterial protein profile.
- Lipopolysaccharides from A. actinomycetemcomitans exhibit strong hemoglobin-binding capacity.
- Hemoglobin binding to lipopolysaccharides is independent of the lipid A component.
Conclusions:
- A. actinomycetemcomitans acquires iron from hemoglobin, supporting its growth.
- The interaction between bacterial lipopolysaccharides and hemoglobin is a key mechanism for iron uptake.
- This interaction may contribute to the pathogenicity of A. actinomycetemcomitans in juvenile periodontitis.