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Media type:
E-Article
Title:
Nonulosonic acids contribute to the pathogenicity of the oral bacteriumTannerella forsythia
Contributor:
Bloch, Susanne;
Tomek, Markus B.;
Friedrich, Valentin;
Messner, Paul;
Schäffer, Christina
Published:
The Royal Society, 2019
Published in:
Interface Focus, 9 (2019) 2, Seite 20180064
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1098/rsfs.2018.0064
ISSN:
2042-8898;
2042-8901
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
Periodontitis is a polymicrobial, biofilm-caused, inflammatory disease affecting the tooth-supporting tissues. It is not only the leading cause of tooth loss worldwide, but can also impact systemic health. The development of effective treatment strategies is hampered by the complicated disease pathogenesis which is best described by a polymicrobial synergy and dysbiosis model. This model classifies the Gram-negative anaerobeTannerella forsythiaas a periodontal pathogen, making it a prime candidate for interference with the disease.Tannerella forsythiaemploys a proteinO-glycosylation system that enables high-density display of nonulosonic acids via the bacterium's two-dimensional crystalline cell surface layer. Nonulosonic acids are sialic acid-like sugars which are well known for their pivotal biological roles. This review summarizes the current knowledge ofT. forsythia's unique cell envelope with a focus on composition, biosynthesis and functional implications of the cell surfaceO-glycan. We have obtained evidence that glycobiology affects the bacterium's immunogenicity and capability to establish itself in the polymicrobial oral biofilm. Analysis of the genomes of differentT. forsythiaisolates revealed that complex proteinO-glycosylation involving nonulosonic acids is a hallmark of pathogenicT. forsythiastrains and, thus, constitutes a valuable target for the design of novel anti-infective strategies to combat periodontitis.