Auto-aggregation in <i>Streptococcus intermedius</i> is driven by the Pel polysaccharide.

ABSTRACT: The Streptococcus milleri group (SMG), comprising Streptococcus intermedius, anginosus, and constellatus, can asymptomatically colonize various mucosal sites of healthy individuals. These bacteria are opportunistic pathogens that cause different types of infections across various anatomical sites. Although the pathogenic mechanisms leading to infections are not well defined in the SMG, auto-aggregation is a key driver of biofilm adhesion and cohesion in many Streptococci and Staphylococci. Here, we identify a S. intermedius gene cluster with significant homology to the Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pel operons, which are required for Pel exopolysaccharide production and biofilm formation in these species. This cluster contains five genes that

SUBMITTER: Raju D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12345266 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature