title: Responses of cariogenic streptococci to environmental stresses.
abstract: To persist in the oral cavity, bacteria must be able to tolerate rapid and substantial environmental fluctuations, particularly in pH and nutrient source and availability. Various species of Streptococcus, one of the most abundant genera in the mouth, are associated with oral health, as well as with dental caries. Cariogenic streptococci depend on a biofilm lifestyle for survival and persistence in the oral cavity and have developed sophisticated mechanisms to cope with environmental stresses. Here, we analyze the primary factors that allow these bacteria to emerge as significant members of tooth biofilms during adverse conditions. Our focus is on the molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation, stress tolerance and sugar metabolism by pathogenic oral streptococci, mainly Streptococcus mutans. Overlaps in the roles and regulation of these virulence attributes are highlighted and areas of research that deserve further investigation are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. jlemos@dental.ufl.edu
authors.forename: José A C
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abranches
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Burne
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000502:physiology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D040901:Proteomics; D017494:Proton Pumps / Q000502:physiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D017494:Proton Pumps