Effects of certain salts on glucosyltransferase synthesis by Streptococcus mutans strain PS-14.
We investigated the effects of various salts on the synthesis of extracellular glucosyltransferase in a partially defined medium (M4) by Streptococcus mutans strain PS-14 and by certain other selected strains. The levels of glucosyltransferase produced by S. mutans strain PS-14 were found to increase to a maximum of seven-fold with increasing (NH4)2SO4 concentrations. However, at a 2% concentration of the salt, the level was stimulated 2.5-fold, and the growth was inhibited by 75%. A 1% concentration of MgSO4 or NaCl also caused an increase of glucosyltransferase of six-fold or 2.4-fold, respectively. However, for S. mutans strain B-13N, the enzyme production was not stimulated by (NH4)2SO4, MgSO4, or NaCl. Moreover, the enzyme production by serotypes c, e, and f was found to be stimulated by 1% (NH4)2SO4, whereas the enzyme production by serotypes d and g was not affected.
D000645:Ammonium Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D005936:Glucans / Q000378:metabolism; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology*; D013395:Sucrose / Q000378:metabolism; D013431:Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005936:Glucans; D013431:Sulfates; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013395:Sucrose; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate