Abstract

The survival/adaptation of Fillifactor alocis, a fastidious gram positive asaccharolytic anaerobe in the inflammatory environment of the periodontal pocket, requires an ability to overcome oxidative stress. Moreover, emerging observations suggest its pathogenic characteristics are highlighted by its capacity to survive in the oxidative-stress microenvironment of the periodontal pocket and its likely ability to modulate the microbial community dynamics. There is still a significant gap in our understanding of F. alocis mechanism of oxidative stress resistance and its impact on the virulence and pathogenicity of the microbial biofilm. The pathogenicity of F. alocis may be impacted by its response to oxidative stress in the subgingival crevice and understanding this stress response mechanism is key to providing insight in the pathogen’s role in disease onset. This project traverses the current understanding of F. alocis, and primarily focuses on elucidating the role of the FA1654 protein in the oxidative stress machinery of F. alocis. The data obtained indicates that the FA1654 protein may function as a DNA starvation and stationary phase protection protein (DPS), that can modulate Fenton reaction- mediated oxidative stress via iron sequestration.

LLU Discipline

Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Department

Microbiology

School

School of Medicine

First Advisor

Mark Johnson

Second Advisor

Hansel Fletcher

Third Advisor

So Ran Kwon

Fourth Advisor

Christopher Perry

Fifth Advisor

Ubaldo Soto

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2023

Date (Title Page)

12-2022

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Bacteria, Anaerobic; Periodontal Pocket; Oxidative Stress

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

xv, 120 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

Included in

Microbiology Commons

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