Rank: Species

Lineage: Bacteria;Bacteroidetes;Bacteroidia;Bacteroidales;Tannerellaceae;Tannerella;Tannerella forsythia

Description: Tannerella forsythus. This organism is a key agent in the progression of periodontal disease and is involved in bone loss and loss of attachment of teeth. The pathogenic factors involved in this are poorly understood. Unlike other periodontal organism such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia, this organism is difficult to culture and the prevalence of the organism in periodontal disease may be underestimated. This organism is synergistic with Porphyromonas gingivalis, and the presence of both accelerates progression of the disease. Pathogenic factors include a trypsin-like protease (PrtH) and a variety of glycosidases. The outer surface of the bacterium is covered by an S-layer (surface layer) composed of two protein subunits that mediate adherence and invasiveness. Other virulence factors include the cell surface adhesin, BspA, that mediates adherence to fibronectin and other extracellular matrix components. More >> Less >>

Reference Material:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/?term=Tannerella%20forsythia