Studies on the virulence properties and metabolism of pleiotropic mutants of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Bacteroides gingivalis) W50

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Abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis (Bacteorides gingivalis) strain W50 and variants isolated from continuous culture designated W50/BP1 (black pigmented), W50/BR1 (brown pigmented) and W50/BE1 (beige or non‐pigmented) were previously shown to lose virulence with the loss of pigmentation (8). Major properties which may affect the virulence and metabolism of P. gingivalis were compared amongst the 4 strains. The non‐pigmented strain lost the ability to hemagglutinate sheep erythrocyte, had a reduced hydrophobicity and possessed lower levels of proteolytic activity. Defects in the electron transport system occurred at the level of cytochrome b but not menaquinone synthesis and resulted in an altered metabolic end product profile of the non‐pigmented strain.