Role of <i>opuB</i> in Modulating Membrane Vesicle Composition and Function in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> Under Neutral and Acidic Conditions.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) plays an important role in dental caries through acid production and biofilm formation. The membrane vesicles (MVs) of S. mutans are essential for microbial physiology, biofilm activity, and acid adaptation. The OpuB transporter regulates osmotic pressure in Bacillus subtilis; however, its role in S. mutans and its MVs remains unexplored. This study investigated the effects of the opuB pathway on MV biogenesis, as well as the proteomic and lipidomic profiles under neutral (pH 7.5) and acidic (pH 5.5) conditions. Nanoflow cytometry showed that the opuB-deficient strain (Smu_opuB) produced significantly more and smaller MVs than UA159 at pH 7.5, while the difference was not significant at pH 5.5. Lipidom

SUBMITTER: Wang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12029584 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature