Deficiency of MecA in Streptococcus mutans Causes Major Defects in Cell Envelope Biogenesis, Cell Division, and Biofilm Formation.

ABSTRACT: MecA is an adaptor protein that guides the ClpC/P-mediated proteolysis. A S. mutans MecA-deficient mutant was constructed by double-crossover allelic exchange and analyzed for the effects of such a deficiency on cell biology and biofilm formation. Unlike the wild-type, UA159, the mecA mutant, TW416, formed mucoid and smooth colonies, severely clumped in broth and had a reduced growth rate. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that TW416 grows primarily in chains of giant "swollen" cells with multiple asymmetric septa, unlike the coccoid form of UA159. As compared to UA159, biofilm formation by TW416 was significantly reduced regardless of the carbohydrate sources used for growth (P < 0.001). Western blot analysis of TW416 whole cell lysates showed a reduc

SUBMITTER: De A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6141683 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature