Involvement of Streptococcus gordonii beta-glucoside metabolism systems in adhesion, biofilm formation, and in vivo gene expression.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus gordonii genes involved in beta-glucoside metabolism are induced in vivo on infected heart valves during experimental endocarditis and in vitro during biofilm formation on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (sHA). To determine the roles of beta-glucoside metabolism systems in biofilm formation, the loci of these induced genes were analyzed. To confirm the function of genes in each locus, strains were constructed with gene inactivation, deletion, and/or reporter gene fusions. Four novel systems responsible for beta-glucoside metabolism were identified, including three phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase systems (PTS) and a binding protein-dependent sugar uptake system for metabolizing multiple sugars, including beta-glucosides. Utilization of arbutin and esculin, aryl-b

SUBMITTER: Kilic AO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC421613 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature