Isolation and characterization of coaggregation-defective (Cog-) mutants of Streptococcus gordonii DL1 (Challis).
Streptococcus gordonii DL1 (Challis) bears coaggregation-mediating surface adhesins which recognize galactoside-containing surface polysaccharides on Streptococcus oralis 34, Streptococcus oralis C104, and Streptococcus SM PK509. Fifty-nine spontaneously-occurring coaggregation-defective (Cog-) mutants of S. gordonii DL1 unable to coaggregate with partner streptococci were isolated. Six representative Cog- mutants were characterized by their coaggregation properties with four Actinomyces naeslundii strains (T14V, PK947, PK606, PK984), Veillonella atypica PK1910, and Propionibacterium acnes PK93. The six representative Cog- mutants showed altered coaggregation with their streptococcal partners, A. naeslundii PK947, and P. acnes PK93. Based on the coaggregation phenotypes of these mutants, a model for the lactose-inhibitable coaggregation between S. gordonii DL1 and its partner bacteria is proposed. The potential use of these mutants in studies of oral biofilms is discussed.
Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Clemans
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Kolenbrander
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial