title: Genetic exchange between oral streptococci during mixed growth.
abstract: To determine whether oral streptococci might exchange genetic information in the oral cavity, paired transformable strains of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus milleri were growth together. Chromosomal and plasmid-borne antibiotic resistance markers could be readily transferred from S. mutans GS-5 to S. milleri NCTC 10707 or S. sanguis Challis during mixed growth. However, no exchange from the latter two organisms to strain GS-5 could be detected under these conditions. The transfer of genetic information from S. sanguis to S. milleri was also observed.
mesh_terms: D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D010957:Plasmids; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial