The delta subunit of RNA polymerase, RpoE, is a global modulator of Streptococcus mutans environmental adaptation.

ABSTRACT: The delta subunit of RNA polymerase, RpoE, is widespread in low-G+C Gram-positive bacteria and is thought to play a role in enhancing transcriptional specificity by blocking RNA polymerase binding at weak promoter sites and stimulating RNA synthesis by accelerating core enzyme recycling. Despite the well-studied biochemical properties of RpoE, a role for this protein in vivo has not been defined in depth. In this study, we show that inactivation of rpoE in the human dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans causes impaired growth and loss of important virulence traits, including biofilm formation, resistance to antibiotics, and tolerance to environmental stresses. Complementation of the mutant with rpoE expressed in trans restored its phenotype to wild type. The luciferase fusion reporte

SUBMITTER: Xue X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2944538 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature