TRANSCRIPTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE GROESL OPERON FROM PORPHYROMONAS-GINGIVALIS

Transcriptional analysis elf the groESL operon from Porphyromonas ging ivalis, one of the obligative anaerobic oral microorganisms implicated in adult periodontitis, was performed. P. gingivalis 381 cultured at 37 degrees C was shifted to 42 degrees C, 45 degrees C or 48 degrees C for 10 mins. Northern hybridization analysis revealed that a band wit h 2.1-kb (kilo base pair) was observed, and the transcripts increased greatly by heat shock. Primer extension and S1 mapping detected four d ifferent 5'-ending sites of the mRNAs at the upstream region of the gr oES. Three sites out of the four were heat-inducible. There were inver ted repeats and a Escherichia coli sigma(32)-recognizing consensus seq uence in the promoter region of the groESL, which may be relevant to t he regulation of transcription of groESL operon in P. gingivalis. Both a heat shock promoter and inverted repeats may be relevant to the tra nscriptional regulation of the groESL operon in P. gingivalis.