The S. mutans mntE gene encodes a manganese efflux transporter.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus mutans is a colonizer of the human dentition, and under conditions of dysbiosis is the primary causative agent of dental caries. The pathogenic potential of S. mutans depends, in part, on its ability to regulate the transport of metal ions across the plasma membrane to maintain intracellular metal ion homeostasis. Research in our laboratory has focused on the Mn²⁺ -specific SloC lipoprotein importer and its regulator encoded by the S. mutans sloR gene. Herein, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify a gene on the S. mutans UA159 chromosome, SMU_1176, as a metal ion efflux transporter that contributes to S. mutans manganese ion homeostasis. Metal ion sensitivity assays performed with the wild-type S. mutans UA159 strain and an isogenic SMU_1176 insertion-delet

SUBMITTER: O'Brien J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8212816 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature