Hydrogen Sulfide Production in Periodontal Pathogens
Summary
Hydrogen sulphide generation by subgingival biofilms is recognised as a key factor in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and halitosis. Major periodontal bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola employ specialised enzymatic pathways to convert sulphur-containing amino acids into gaseous metabolites. These processes are mediated by enzymes including cysteine desulfhydrases, cystalysin and gamma-glutamyltransferases, often requiring pyridoxal 5′-phosphate as a cofactor. Environmental conditions such as pH, availability of cysteine and redox status influence the expression and activity of these enzymes, modulating the flux of hydrogen sulphide. Beyond its odorous character, hydrogen sulphide acts as a signalling molecule, exacerbating oxidative stress, disrupting epithelial barrier integrity and promoting inflammatory cascades through the release of cytokines such as interleukin-1β and interleukin-18. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of H₂S production is fundamental to the development of targeted therapies for periodontal disease and associated systemic sequelae.
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Hydrogen Sulfide Production in Periodontal Pathogens publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in hydrogen sulfide production in periodontal pathogens across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Biofilm: A structured community of microorganisms enclosed within a self-produced polymeric matrix adherent to a surface.
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs): Gaseous molecules, including hydrogen sulphide, released during bacterial metabolism of sulphur-containing substrates.
Cysteine desulfhydrase: An enzyme catalysing the degradation of cysteine into hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and pyruvate.
References
- Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Elsholtzia ciliate essential oil against halitosis-related Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Frontiers in Microbiology (2023).
- Hydrogen Sulfide, Oxidative Stress and Periodontal Diseases: A Concise Review. Antioxidants (2016).
- The proteins of Fusobacterium spp. involved in hydrogen sulfide production from L-cysteine. BMC Microbiology (2017).
- The secretion of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with periodontitis and healthy controls when exposed to H2S. Journal of Oral Microbiology (2021).
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