L-serine-O-sulfate alters cellular ultrastructure and mitigates the capacity of biofilm formation in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> UA159 via interfering with glutamate racemase.

ABSTRACT: Dental caries, primarily caused by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), remains a significant global health challenge. Conventional treatments often disrupt commensal oral flora, necessitating targeted antimicrobial strategies. This study investigated L‑serine-O-sulfate (LSOS), a substrate analog of glutamate racemase (MurI), as a potential agent for interfering with S. mutans UA159 virulence. Computational docking predicted LSOS binding to MurI, while circular dichroism spectroscopy confirmed LSOS-induced structural perturbations in recombinant MurI. LSOS exhibited concentration-dependent bactericidal effects, with 5.0 mM completely suppressing growth and 2.5 mM significantly extending doubling time (11.37 hrs vs. 5.68 hrs in controls). Transmission electron microscopy r

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12744344 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature