title: Cariogenicity of mutants of Streptococcus mutans.
abstract: In this study, we induced a number of mutants of S. mutans differing in their abilities to synthesize glucan and produce acid. When tested for cariogenicity in gnotobiotic rats, "high pH" mutants caused less caries, but could not supplant a cariogenic parent strain.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009154:Mutation; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D012703:Serotyping; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial