Genome-wide transcriptional changes in Streptococcus gordonii in response to competence signaling peptide
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ABSTRACT: Streptococcus gordonii is a primary colonizer of the multispecies biofilm on tooth surfaces forming dental plaque, and a potential agent of endocarditis. The recent completion of the genome sequence of the naturally competent strain Challis allowed the design of a spotted oligonucleotide microarray to examine a genome-wide response of this organism to environmental signals. Based on temporal responses to synthetic competence signaling peptide (CSP) as indicated by transformation frequencies, the S. gordonii transcriptome was monitored at increments after CSP exposure. Microarray analysis identified 35 candidate early genes and 127 candidate late genes that were up-regulated at 5 and 15 minutes, respectively; these genes were often grouped in clusters. Findings supported published literature on the S. gordonii competence response, with up-regulation of most, but not all, genes that have been reported to affect this species' transformation frequencies. The CSP-induced transcriptomes of S. gordonii were compared to those of published S. pneumoniae strains. Both conserved and species-specific genes were identified. Putative intergenic regulatory sites such as the conserved combox sequence thought to be a binding site for competence sigma factor, were found preceding S. gordonii late responsive genes. In contrast, S. gordonii early CSP-responsive genes were not preceded by S. pneumoniae conserved direct repeats. These studies provide the first insights into a genome-wide transcriptional response of an oral commensal organism. They offer an extensive analysis of transcriptional changes that accompany competence in S. gordonii and form a basis for future intra- and inter-species comparative analyses of this ecologically important phenotype. Keywords: gene expression design
ORGANISM(S): Streptococcus gordonii str. Challis
PROVIDER: GSE8758 | GEO | 2007/10/30
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA102033
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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