Synergistic action of specialized metabolites from divergent biosynthesis in the human oral microbiome.

ABSTRACT: Despite extensive efforts, our understanding of the virulence factors contributing to oral biofilm formation-a hallmark of dental caries-remains incomplete. We present evidence that the specialized metabolism of the oral microbiome is a critical yet underexplored factor in oral biofilm formation. Through microbiome analysis, we identified a hybrid nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) encoding biosynthetic gene cluster that correlates with dental caries and is widely represented in oral pathogens, including Streptococcus mutans. This gene cluster produces two major mutanoclumpin metabolites, MC-584 and MC-586, which feature molecular scaffolds differing in a C-C macrocyclic linkage. Both metabolites synergistically promote robust biofilm formation of <

SUBMITTER: Loop Yao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12403116 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature