title: Characteristics of Streptococcus mutans strains lacking the MazEF and RelBE toxin-antitoxin modules.
abstract: Two pairs of genes were identified in Streptococcus mutans with similarity to relBE and mazEF toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules of Escherichia coli. Transcription of mazEF and relBE was repressed by amino acid starvation, and relBE expression was repressed by low pH. Mutants lacking MazF, RelE, or both toxins (MRT1) grew in broth media and formed biofilms as well as the parent. Biofilm populations of MRT1 were more resistant to acid killing than the parent or single mutants. MRT1 also exhibited a longer diauxie during growth on glucose and inulin and displayed decreased phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase activity. This is the first report that demonstrates a physiological role for TA modules in Gram-positive bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610-0424, USA.
authors.forename: José A C
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abranches
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Burne
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005998:Glycine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012694:Serine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000235:genetics*; D051841:Transcription Factor RelB / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D051841:Transcription Factor RelB; C028002:serine hydroxamate; D012694:Serine; D005998:Glycine