PROTEASES OF PORPHYROMONAS-GINGIVALIS - WHAT DONT THEY DO

The gram-negative anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis has bee n strongly associated with the causation of human periodontal diseases . One distinguishing property of these organisms that has been implica ted in periodontal destruction is the expression of potent protease ac tivity. Recent biochemical and genetic approaches have clearly demonst rated that at least five distinct proteases are elaborated by these or ganisms. The utilization of monospecific mutants defective in individu al proteases has demonstrated that protease activity is important in v irulence but also has suggested the complexity of the functions of the enzymes in the physiology of these microorganisms. This review summar izes current progress in assessing the role of these enzymes in period ontal inflammation and discusses some unresolved issues relevant to th e significance of P. gingivalis proteases in virulence.