Influence of BrpA on critical virulence attributes of Streptococcus mutans

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus mutans, the primary etiological agent of human dental caries, has developed multiple mechanisms to colonize and form biofilms on the tooth surface. The brpA gene codes for a predicted surface-associated protein with apparent roles in biofilm formation, autolysis, and cell division. In this study, we used two models to further characterize the biofilm-forming characteristics of a BrpA-deficient mutant, strain TW14. Compared to those of the parent strain, UA159, TW14 formed long chains and sparse microcolonies on hydroxylapatite disks but failed to accumulate and form three-dimensional biofilms when grown on glucose as the carbohydrate source. The biofilm formation defect was also readily apparent by confocal laser scanning microscopy when flow cells were used to grow biofilms.

ORGANISM(S): Streptococcus mutans

SUBMITTER: Robert Burne 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-11773 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress