Competence-Stimulating-Peptide-Dependent Localized Cell Death and Extracellular DNA Production in Streptococcus mutans Biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is a biofilm component that contributes to the formation and structural stability of biofilms. Streptococcus mutans, a major cariogenic bacterium, induces eDNA-dependent biofilm formation under specific conditions. Since cell death can result in the release and accumulation of DNA, the dead cells in biofilms are a source of eDNA. However, it remains unknown how eDNA is released from dead cells and is localized within S. mutans biofilms. We focused on cell death induced by the extracellular signaling peptide called competence-stimulating peptide (CSP). We demonstrate that nucleic acid release into the extracellular environment occurs in a subpopulation of dead cells. eDNA production induced by CSP was highly dependent on the lytF gene, which encodes an autolysin. Al

SUBMITTER: Nagasawa R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7657630 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature