Dataset Information

Streptococcus mutans copes with heat stress by multiple transcriptional regulons modulating virulence and energy metabolism.

ABSTRACT: Dental caries is closely associated with the virulence of Streptococcus mutans. The virulence expression of S. mutans is linked to its stress adaptation to the changes in the oral environment. In this work we used whole-genome microarrays to profile the dynamic transcriptomic responses of S. mutans during physiological heat stress. In addition, we evaluated the phenotypic changes, including, eDNA release, initial biofilm formation, extracellular polysaccharides generation, acid production/acid tolerance, and ATP turnover of S. mutans during heat stress. There were distinct patterns observed in the way that S. mutans responded to heat stress that included 66 transcription factors for the expression of functional genes being differentially expressed. Especially, response regulators of two component systems (TCSs), the repressors of heat shock proteins and regulators involved in sugar transporting and metabolism co-ordinated to enhance the cell's survival and energy generation against heat stress in S. mutans.

SUBMITTER: Liu C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4528225 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Streptococcus mutans copes with heat stress by multiple transcriptional regulons modulating virulence and energy metabolism.

Liu Chengcheng C Niu Yulong Y Zhou Xuedong X Zheng Xin X Wang Shida S Guo Qiang Q Li Yuqing Y Li Mingyun M Li Jiyao J Yang Yi Y Ding Yi Y Lamont Richard J RJ Xu Xin X

Scientific reports 20150807

Dental caries is closely associated with the virulence of Streptococcus mutans. The virulence expression of S. mutans is linked to its stress adaptation to the changes in the oral environment. In this work we used whole-genome microarrays to profile the dynamic transcriptomic responses of S. mutans during physiological heat stress. In addition, we evaluated the phenotypic changes, including, eDNA release, initial biofilm formation, extracellular polysaccharides generation, acid production/acid t ...[more]

PMID: 26251057

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Project description:Streptococcus mutans is a key cariogenic bacterium responsible for the initiation of tooth decay. Biofilm formation is a crucial virulence property. We discovered a putative glycosyltransferase, SMU_833, in S. mutans capable of modulating dynamic interactions between two key biofilm matrix components, glucan and extracellular DNA (eDNA). The deletion of smu_833 decreases glucan and increases eDNA but maintains the overall biofilm biomass. The decrease in glucan is caused by a reduction in GtfB and GtfC, two key enzymes responsible for the synthesis of glucan. The increase in eDNA was accompanied by an elevated production of membrane vesicles, suggesting that SMU_833 modulates the release of eDNA via the membrane vesicles, thereby altering biofilm matrix constituents. Furthermore, glucan and eDNA were colocalized. The complete deletion of gtfBC from the smu_833 mutant significantly reduced the biofilm biomass despite the elevated eDNA, suggesting the requirement of minimal glucans as a binding substrate for eDNA within the biofilm. Despite no changes in overall biofilm biomass, the mutant biofilm was altered in biofilm architecture and was less acidic in vitro Concurrently, the mutant was less virulent in an in vivo rat model of dental caries, demonstrating that SMU_833 is a new virulence factor. Taken together, we conclude that SMU_833 is required for optimal biofilm development and virulence of S. mutans by modulating extracellular matrix components. Our study of SMU_833-modulated biofilm matrix dynamics uncovered a new target that can be used to develop potential therapeutics that prevent and treat dental caries.IMPORTANCE Tooth decay, a costly and painful disease affecting the vast majority of people worldwide, is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus mutans The bacteria utilize dietary sugars to build and strengthen biofilms, trapping acids onto the tooth's surface and causing demineralization and decay of teeth. As knowledge of our body's microbiomes increases, the need for developing therapeutics targeted to disease-causing bacteria has arisen. The significance of our research is in studying and identifying a novel therapeutic target, a dynamic biofilm matrix that is mediated by a new virulence factor and membrane vesicles. The study increases our understanding of S. mutans virulence and also offers a new opportunity to develop effective therapeutics targeting S. mutans In addition, the mechanisms of membrane vesicle-mediated biofilm matrix dynamics are also applicable to other biofilm-driven infectious diseases.

Dataset Information

Streptococcus mutans copes with heat stress by multiple transcriptional regulons modulating virulence and energy metabolism.

Publications

Streptococcus mutans copes with heat stress by multiple transcriptional regulons modulating virulence and energy metabolism.

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