Comparison of genes required for H2O2 resistance in Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis.

ABSTRACT: Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is produced by several members of the genus Streptococcus mainly through the pyruvate oxidase SpxB under aerobic growth conditions. The acute toxic nature of H2O2 raises the interesting question of how streptococci cope with intrinsically produced H2O2, which subsequently accumulates in the microenvironment and threatens the closely surrounding population. Here, we investigate the H2O2 susceptibility of oral Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis and elucidate potential mechanisms of how they protect themselves from the deleterious effect of H2O2. Both organisms are considered primary colonizers and occupy the same intraoral niche making them potential targets for H2O2 produced by other species. We demonstrate that S. gordonii produces relatively more H

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4252910 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature