Mucin O-glycans suppress quorum-sensing pathways and genetic transformation in Streptococcus mutans.

ABSTRACT: Mucus barriers accommodate trillions of microorganisms throughout the human body while preventing pathogenic colonization¹. In the oral cavity, saliva containing the mucins MUC5B and MUC7 forms a pellicle that coats the soft tissue and teeth to prevent infection by oral pathogens, such as Streptococcus mutans². Salivary mucin can interact directly with microorganisms through selective agglutinin activity and bacterial binding^2-4, but the extent and basis of the protective functions of saliva are not well understood. Here, using an ex vivo saliva model, we identify that MUC5B is an inhibitor of microbial virulence. Specifically, we find that natively purified MUC5B downregulates the expression of quorum-sensing pathways activated by the competence stimulatin

SUBMITTER: Werlang CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8811953 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature