Hyperosmotic response of streptococcus mutans: from microscopic physiology to transcriptomic profile.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Oral streptococci metabolize carbohydrate to produce organic acids, which not only decrease the environmental pH, but also increase osmolality of dental plaque fluid due to tooth demineralization and consequent calcium and phosphate accumulation. Despite these unfavorable environmental changes, the bacteria continue to thrive. The aim of this study was to obtain a global view on strategies taken by Streptococcus mutans to deal with physiologically relevant elevated osmolality, and perseveres within a cariogenic dental plaque.

Results

We investigated phenotypic change of S. mutans biofilm upon hyperosmotic challenge. We found that the hyperosmotic condition was able to initiate S. mutans biofilm dispersal by reducing both microbial content and extracellular polysac

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4219374 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature