GENETIC EXCHANGE AND ORAL BACTERIA

我们的调查将集中在口腔细菌之间的基因交换， 尤其是在牙周病有机体中。遗传基因的转移 不同生物体之间的信息是从 核苷酸序列比较。基因工程的生态效益 交换包括代谢多功能性和抵抗力的扩大 到危险的环境。一些可转化的细菌已经获得 基因片段的水平遗传交换产生的抗生素耐药性 染色体基因，如青霉素耐药青霉素结合 肺炎链球菌中的蛋白质。分子生物学的应用 口腔微生物的生物技术应该允许 基因转移的体外评估机会。 我们调查的具体目的是了解 基因交换是人类口腔感染的危险因素，例如 牙周病。关于基因转移的信息很少 与牙周病相关的细菌菌群之间的关系。其中 牙周病病原菌：齿轮虫(T.denticola)、牙龈假单胞菌(P.gigivalis)、牙周炎(F. 核藻是我们目前研究的重点。最近的 用Kuramitsu博士建立齿纹夜蛾的基因转移系统 实验室现在使研究基因是否有可能成为可能 齿纹夜蛾的信息可以在体外转移到P. Gigivalis或对核盘藻的影响。我们还计划确定是否 齿状毛滴虫和口腔毛滴虫之间可以进行遗传信息的交换 链球菌，因为后者在早期形成了大部分革兰氏阳性 牙齿表面的殖民者。无论是体外细菌培养还是 生物膜将被用来评估从齿纹夜蛾到 不同的细菌。从这项研究中获得的信息可能 阐明口腔细菌间基因转移在口腔疾病中的潜在作用 牙周病的病因学。 关键词：基因交换、生物膜、牙周病

Our investigation will focus on genetic exchange among oral bacteria, especially among periodontopathic organisms. The transfer of genetic information between different organisms has been inferred from nucleotide sequence comparisons. The ecological benefits of genetic exchange include the expansion of metabolic versatility and resistance to hazardous environments. Some transformable bacteria have acquired antibiotic resistance by horizontal genetic exchange of fragments of chromosomal genes, such as penicillin-resistant penicillin-binding proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The application of molecular biology techniques with oral microorganisms should permit the opportunity for an in vitro assessment of gene transfer. The specific aim of our investigation is to understand the role of genetic exchange as a risk factor in human oral infections such as periodontal diseases. Little information exists on gene transfer between the bacterial flora associated with periodontal diseases. Among the periodontopathic organisms, T. denticola, P. gingivalis, and F. nucleatum are the focus of our present investigation. The recent development of a gene transfer system in T. denticola in Dr. Kuramitsu's laboratory now makes it feasible to study whether the genetic information from T. denticola can be transferred in vitro to P. gingivalis or to F. nucleatum. We are also planning to determine if the exchange of genetic information can occur between T. denticola and oral streptococci, since the latter forms the majority of gram positive early colonizers of the tooth surface. Both in vitro bacterial culture and biofilms will be used to evaluate gene transfer from T. denticola to different bacteria. Information obtained from this study could elucidate the potential role of gene transfer between oral bacteria in the etiology of periodontal diseases. Key words: Genetic exchange, biofilms, periodontal disease