The well-coordinated linkage between acidogenicity and aciduricity via insoluble glucans on the surface of Streptococcus mutans
Streptococcus mutans is considered the principal cariogenic bacterium for dental caries. Despite the recognition of their importance for cariogenesis, the possible coordination among S. mutans’ main virulence factors, including glucan production, acidogenicity and aciduricity, has been less well stu...
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Published in | Scientific reports Vol. 5; no. 1; p. 18015 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
Nature Publishing Group UK
10.12.2015
Nature Publishing Group |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Streptococcus mutans
is considered the principal cariogenic bacterium for dental caries. Despite the recognition of their importance for cariogenesis, the possible coordination among
S. mutans’
main virulence factors, including glucan production, acidogenicity and aciduricity, has been less well studied. In the present study, using
S. mutans
strains with surface-displayed pH-sensitive pHluorin, we revealed sucrose availability- and Gtf functionality-dependent proton accumulation on
S. mutans
surface. Consistent with this, using a pH-sensitive dye, we demonstrated that both
in vivo
cell-produced and
in vitro
enzymatically synthesized insoluble glucans displayed proton-concentrating ability. Global transcriptomics revealed proton accumulation triggers the up-regulation of genes encoding functions involved in acid tolerance response in a glucan-dependent manner. Our data suggested that this proton enrichment around
S. mutans
could pre-condition the bacterium for acid-stress. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found
S. mutans
strains defective in glucan production were more acid sensitive. Our study revealed for the first time that insoluble glucans is likely an essential factor linking acidogenicity with aciduricity. The coordination of these key virulence factors could provide new insights on how
S. mutans
may have become a major cariogenic pathogen. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 14 content type line 23 These authors contributed equally to this work. |
ISSN: | 2045-2322 2045-2322 |
DOI: | 10.1038/srep18015 |