Scroll Top

Microbial beta-glucuronidases drive human periodontal disease etiology


Microbial beta-glucuronidases drive human periodontal disease etiology

Abstract
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with persistent oral microbial dysbiosis. The human β-glucuronidase (GUS) degrades constituents of the periodontium and is used as a biomarker for periodontitis severity. However, the human microbiome also encodes GUS enzymes, and the role of these factors in periodontal disease is poorly understood. Here, we define the 53 unique GUSs in the human oral microbiome and examine diverse GUS orthologs from periodontitis-associated pathogens. Oral bacterial GUS enzymes are more efficient polysaccharide degraders and processers of biomarker substrates than the human enzyme, particularly at pHs associated with disease progression. Using a microbial GUS-selective inhibitor, we show that GUS activity is reduced in clinical samples obtained from individuals with untreated periodontitis and that the degree of inhibition correlates with disease severity. Together, these results establish oral GUS activity as a biomarker that captures both host and microbial contributions to periodontitis, facilitating more efficient clinical monitoring and treatment paradigms for this common inflammatory disease.

Citation
Lietzan, A. D., Simpson, J. B., Walton, W. G., Jariwala, P. B., Xu, Y., Boynton, M. H., Liu, J., & Redinbo, M. R. (2023). Microbial β-glucuronidases drive human periodontal disease etiology. Science Advances, 9(18). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg3390


Privacy Preferences
When you visit our website, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in form of cookies. Here you can change your privacy preferences. Please note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our website and the services we offer.