Treponema denticola
Classification
Higher order taxa
Cellular organisms; Bacteria; Spirochaetes; Spirochaetes (class); Spirochaetales; Spirochaetaceae; Treponema; Treponema denticola.
Genus
Treponema denticola
Description and significance
Treponema denticola is a motile, slender, helically shaped flexible organism. It is made up of a periplasmic flagella wound around the helical protoplasmic cylinder and encased in an outer sheath. It's habitat is anaerobic and host-associated. It grows at an optimal temperature of 30-42°C, with a pH of 6.5-8.0. It is commonly found in the human oral cavity, specifically in subgingival dental plaque, and it is often associated with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease results in inflammation of the gum tissue, bone resorbtion, and subsequent tooth loss. Periodontal disease has now become a major concern in dentistry and 80% of adults in the USA are estimated to have had periodontal disease at some point in their lives. The complete genome of T. denticola strain 35405 was sequenced by using the random shotgun method described for genomes sequenced by The Institute for Genomic Research and it was designated as the type strain by Chan et al.
Genome structure
Treponema denticola ATCC 35405 has a complete genome. It is made up of dsDNA and 1 chromosome. It is circular and the length is 2,843,201 nucleotides. The GC content is 37%. It has 2838 genes. Replicon Type: chromosome.
A plasmid sequence, pTS1, has been reported in association with T.denticola.
Cell structure and metabolism
The genome reveals factors mediating coaggregation, cell signaling, and stress protection. It has a spiral shape and is arranged in singles. It is a mobile organism but does not contain any endospores. Motility is by rapid rotation around the long axis, flexation of the cell and locomotion along a helical path. A distinctive property is the presence of periplasmic flagella wound around the helical protoplasmic cylinder and encased in an outer sheath.
T. denticola possesses various mechanisms to counteract oxidative, osmotic, and other stresses. It has been reported to have NADH oxidase, NADH peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD)/reductase activities.
T. denticola possesses enzymes for glycogen synthesis (unlike the other spirochetes), which may be a specific adaptation for survival during starvation conditions.
It consists of peptide and amino acid uptake systems, including eight ABC-type peptide uptake systems.
T. denticola encodes a very large complement of predicted ABC-type drug efflux systems. T. denticola also possesses nine probable sodiumion driven MATE family drug efflux systems as well as other predicted drug efflux systems.
Glycolysis and absence of a tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in T. denticola suggests that ATP is generated by sugar fermentation. The lack of cytochromes and quinone biosynthesis genes in T. denticola indicates that it does not possess an ETC for energy production.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
Treponema denticola is a bacterial pathogen and plant plastid. It causes periodontal disease and gum inflammation.
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Edited by Neena Patel, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
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Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
