Role of the Streptococcus mutans gtf genes in caries induction in the specific-pathogen-free rat model (original) (raw)

Abstract

The role of each of the Streptococcus mutans gtf genes coding for glucan synthesis in cariogenesis was evaluated by using strain UA130 in the specific-pathogen-free (SPF) rat model system. Mutants defective in either or both of the genes required for insoluble glucan synthesis, the gtfB and gtfC genes, exhibited markedly reduced levels of smooth-surface carious lesions relative to that of the parental organism. Likewise, the mutant defective in the gtfD gene coding for the glucosyltransferase-S enzyme synthesizing water-soluble glucans also produced significantly fewer smooth-surface lesions than strain UA130. None of these mutations markedly altered the rate of sulcal caries induction relative to that of the parental organism. In addition, a mutant of strain UA130 defective in the gtfA gene was reexamined in the SPF rat model. In contrast to previous results from a gnotobiotic rat system, these mutants also induced significantly fewer smooth-surface carious lesions compared with that by strain UA130. These results suggest that all four genes are important for smooth-surface caries formation. Furthermore, these results are discussed relative to the differences in the diets utilized in the SPF and gnotobiotic rat model systems for assessing the virulence factors of S. mutans.

3811

Images in this article

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Aoki H., Shiroza T., Hayakawa M., Sato S., Kuramitsu H. K. Cloning of a Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase gene coding for insoluble glucan synthesis. Infect Immun. 1986 Sep;53(3):587–594. doi: 10.1128/iai.53.3.587-594.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Barletta R. G., Michalek S. M., Curtiss R., 3rd Analysis of the virulence of Streptococcus mutans serotype c gtfA mutants in the rat model system. Infect Immun. 1988 Feb;56(2):322–330. doi: 10.1128/iai.56.2.322-330.1988. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Bowen W. H., Madison K. M., Pearson S. K. Influence of desalivation in rats on incidence of caries in intact cagemates. J Dent Res. 1988 Oct;67(10):1316–1318. doi: 10.1177/00220345880670101401. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Chia J. S., Hsu T. Y., Teng L. J., Chen J. Y., Hahn L. J., Yang C. S. Glucosyltransferase gene polymorphism among Streptococcus mutans strains. Infect Immun. 1991 May;59(5):1656–1660. doi: 10.1128/iai.59.5.1656-1660.1991. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Hanada N., Kuramitsu H. K. Isolation and characterization of the Streptococcus mutans gtfC gene, coding for synthesis of both soluble and insoluble glucans. Infect Immun. 1988 Aug;56(8):1999–2005. doi: 10.1128/iai.56.8.1999-2005.1988. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Hanada N., Kuramitsu H. K. Isolation and characterization of the Streptococcus mutans gtfD gene, coding for primer-dependent soluble glucan synthesis. Infect Immun. 1989 Jul;57(7):2079–2085. doi: 10.1128/iai.57.7.2079-2085.1989. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. KRASSE B. THE EFFECT OF CARIES-INDUCING STREPTOCOCCI IN HAMSTERS FED DIETS WITH SUCROSE OR GLUCOSE. Arch Oral Biol. 1965 Mar-Apr;10:223–226. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(65)90023-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Kato C., Kuramitsu H. K. Molecular basis for the association of glucosyltransferases with the cell surface of oral streptococci. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 1991 Apr 15;63(2-3):153–157. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1991.tb04521.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Koga T., Sato S., Inoue M., Takeuchi K., Furuta T., Hamada S. Role of primers in glucan synthesis by glucosyltransferases from Streptococcus mutans strain OMZ176. J Gen Microbiol. 1983 Mar;129(3):751–754. doi: 10.1099/00221287-129-3-751. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Kuramitsu H. K. Characterization of extracellular glucosyltransferase activity of Steptococcus mutans. Infect Immun. 1975 Oct;12(4):738–749. doi: 10.1128/iai.12.4.738-749.1975. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Kuramitsu H. K. Virulence factors of mutans streptococci: role of molecular genetics. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 1993;4(2):159–176. doi: 10.1177/10454411930040020201. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Kuramitsu H. K., Wondrack L. Insoluble glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans serotype c strains. Infect Immun. 1983 Nov;42(2):763–770. doi: 10.1128/iai.42.2.763-770.1983. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Kuramitsu H., Ingersoll L. Immunological relationships between glucosyltransferases from Streptococcus mutans serotypes. Infect Immun. 1976 Sep;14(3):636–644. doi: 10.1128/iai.14.3.636-644.1976. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Loesche W. J. Role of Streptococcus mutans in human dental decay. Microbiol Rev. 1986 Dec;50(4):353–380. doi: 10.1128/mr.50.4.353-380.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Munro C., Michalek S. M., Macrina F. L. Cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans V403 glucosyltransferase and fructosyltransferase mutants constructed by allelic exchange. Infect Immun. 1991 Jul;59(7):2316–2323. doi: 10.1128/iai.59.7.2316-2323.1991. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Perry D., Kuramitsu H. K. Genetic transformation of Streptococcus mutans. Infect Immun. 1981 Jun;32(3):1295–1297. doi: 10.1128/iai.32.3.1295-1297.1981. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Pucci M. J., Macrina F. L. Cloned gtfA gene of Streptococcus mutans LM7 alters glucan synthesis in Streptococcus sanguis. Infect Immun. 1985 Jun;48(3):704–712. doi: 10.1128/iai.48.3.704-712.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Russell R. R., Mukasa H., Shimamura A., Ferretti J. J. Streptococcus mutans gtfA gene specifies sucrose phosphorylase. Infect Immun. 1988 Oct;56(10):2763–2765. doi: 10.1128/iai.56.10.2763-2765.1988. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Tanzer J. M. Essential dependence of smooth surface caries on, and augmentation of fissure caries by, sucrose and Streptococcus mutans infection. Infect Immun. 1979 Aug;25(2):526–531. doi: 10.1128/iai.25.2.526-531.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Tanzer J. M., Freedman M. L., Fitzgerald R. J., Larson R. H. Diminished virulence of glucan synthesis-defective mutants of Streptococcus mutans. Infect Immun. 1974 Jul;10(1):197–203. doi: 10.1128/iai.10.1.197-203.1974. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Ueda S., Shiroza T., Kuramitsu H. K. Sequence analysis of the gtfC gene from Streptococcus mutans GS-5. Gene. 1988 Sep 15;69(1):101–109. doi: 10.1016/0378-1119(88)90382-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Van Houte J., Russo J., Prostak K. S. Increased pH-lowering ability of Streptococcus mutans cell masses associated with extracellular glucan-rich matrix material and the mechanisms involved. J Dent Res. 1989 Mar;68(3):451–459. doi: 10.1177/00220345890680030301. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Yamashita Y., Bowen W. H., Kuramitsu H. K. Molecular analysis of a Streptococcus mutans strain exhibiting polymorphism in the tandem gtfB and gtfC genes. Infect Immun. 1992 Apr;60(4):1618–1624. doi: 10.1128/iai.60.4.1618-1624.1992. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]