Porphyromonas endodontalis
Classification
Bacteria (Kingdom); Bacteroidetes (Phylum); Bacteroidetes (Class); Bacteroidales(Order); Porphyromonadaceae (Family); Porphyromonas (Genus)
Genus Species
Porphyromonas endodontalis
Description and Significance
Give a brief description of the microorganism and explain why you think it is important. How does it relate to the other organisms in its phylum (bacteria and fungi) or group (archaea, virus, protist). Use the following for each reference in text (change number accordingly)--> [1]
Porphyromonas endodontalis is a black pigmented gram-negative microbe associated with endodontic infections as well as gingivitis and tooth pulp necrosis. [1]
Structure, Metabolism, and Life Cycle
Interesting features of its structure; how it gains energy (how it replicates, if virus); what important molecules it produces (if any), does it have an interesting life cycle?
Porphyromonas endodontalis are anaerobic, black pigmented, nonsporeforming, nonmotile rods that utilize nitrogeneous substrates as energy sources. [2] The black pigment is observed in colonies after 7 to 14 days. The major pigment associated to the dark color is protoheme, although protoporphyrin is also associated to the color.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Natural habitat (soil, water, commensal of humans or animals?)
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, or plant hosts? Important virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
[1] EXAMPLE ONLY. REPLACE WITH YOUR REFERENCES. Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. 2000. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 50: 489-500. http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/2/489
[1] Cao, H. H., Qi, Z. Z., Jiang, H. H., Zhao, J. J., Liu, Z. Z., & Tang, Z. Z. (2012). Detection of Porphyromonas endodontalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia in primary endodontic infections in a Chinese population. International Endodontic Journal, 45(8), 773-781. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2591.2012.02035.x
Author
Page authored by Isaac Colden, student of Mandy Brosnahan, Instructor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MICB 3301/3303: Biology of Microorganisms.
