Interspecies metabolite transfer fuels the methionine metabolism of Fusobacterium nucleatum to stimulate volatile methyl mercaptan production.

ABSTRACT: The major oral odor compound methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH) is strongly associated with halitosis and periodontitis. CH₃SH production stems from the metabolism of polymicrobial communities in periodontal pockets and on the tongue dorsum. However, understanding of CH₃SH-producing oral bacteria and their interactions is limited. This study aimed to investigate CH₃SH production by major oral bacteria and the impact of interspecies interactions on its generation. Using a newly constructed large-volume anaerobic noncontact coculture system, Fusobacterium nucleatum was found to be a potent producer of CH₃SH, with that production stimulated by metabolic interactions with Streptococcus gordonii, an early dental plaque colonizer. Furthe

SUBMITTER: Hara T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10878106 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature