Analysis of loci required for determination of serotype antigenicity in Streptococcus mutans and its clinical utilization.

ABSTRACT: We recently identified the genes responsible for the serotype c-specific glucose side chain formation of rhamnose-glucose polysaccharide (RGP) in Streptococcus mutans. These genes were located downstream from the rgpA through rgpF locus that is involved in the synthesis of RGP. In the present study, the corresponding chromosomal regions were isolated from serotype e and f strains and characterized. The rgpA through rgpF homologs were well conserved among the three serotypes. By contrast, the regions downstream from the rgpF homolog differed considerably among the three serotypes. Replacement of these regions in the different serotype strains converted their serotypic phenotypes, suggesting that these regions participated in serotype-specific glucose side chain formation in each serotype st

SUBMITTER: Shibata Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC193837 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature