IS1598 (IsPg4) distributed to abscess-forming strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis may enhance virulence through upregulation of nrdD-like gene expression

An insertion sequence, IS1598 (IsPg4) has been found in virulent strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis in a murine abscess model. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of genetic rearrangements by IS1598 on the phenotypic characteristics of the virulent strains. For this purpose, we searched for a common insertion site of IS1598 among the virulent strains. Through cloning and database search, a common insertion site was identified beside an nrdD-like gene in the virulent FDC 381, W83 and W50 strains. In this region, predicted promoters of the nrdD-like gene and IS1598 are located in tandem, and accumulation of nrdD-like gene mRNA was 5-fold higher in virulent strains (W83, W50, FDC 381) than avirulent strains (ATCC33277, SU63, SUNY1021, ESO59 without IS1598). The role of the nrdD-like gene in virulence of P. gingivalis was investigated by constructing a nrdD-deficient mutant. In the murine abscess model, the parental W83 strain produced necrotic abscesses, while the nrdD-deficient mutant had almost lost this ability. Insertion of IS1598 into the nrdD-like gene promoter region may be related to the phenotypic differences in virulence among P. gingivalis strains through upregulation of the expression of this gene.