Trk2 Potassium Transport System in Streptococcus mutans and Its Role in Potassium Homeostasis, Biofilm Formation, and Stress Tolerance.

ABSTRACT:

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Potassium (K(+)) is the most abundant cation in the fluids of dental biofilm. The biochemical and biophysical functions of K(+) and a variety of K(+) transport systems have been studied for most pathogenic bacteria but not for oral pathogens. In this study, we establish the modes of K(+) acquisition in Streptococcus mutans and the importance of K(+) homeostasis for its virulence attributes. The S. mutans genome harbors four putative K(+) transport systems that included two Trk-like transporters (designated Trk1 and Trk2), one glutamate/K(+) cotransporter (GlnQHMP), and a channel-like K(+) transport system (Kch). Mutants lacking Trk2 had significantly impaired growth, acidogenicity, aciduricity, and biofilm formation. [K(+)] less than 5 mM eliminated biofilm formation in

SUBMITTER: Binepal G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4800877 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature