Differential regulation of Streptococcus mutans gtfBCD genes in response to copper ions.
To persist in the oral cavity, bacteria must be able to tolerate environmental fluctuation, particularly in pH, nutrients, and essential elements. Glucosyltransferases B, C, and D of Streptococcus mutans synthesize glucans, and play essential roles in the sucrose-dependent adhesion of the organism to tooth surfaces. Transcriptions of gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD could be differentially regulated through independent promoters. To test the hypothesis that environmental factors frequently encountered in the dental plaque might serve as effector molecules involved in regulation, transcripts of individual gtfs were identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay and confirmed by Northern blot analysis using anti-sense RNA probes. When S. mutans was grown in different medium at low pH, differential regulation of the gtfs was observed. More specifically, the transcription and translational expression of gtfD but not gtfB and gtfC was specifically induced by copper ion (Cu(2+)). The up-regulation was independent of the Cu(2+)-transport operon copYAZ. These findings support the involvement of Cu(2+) as an effector molecule in the regulation of S. mutans gtfD. Nutrient change dominates influence of pH but not the effect of Cu(2+).
Chen
Pei-Min
PM
Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chen
Jen-Yang
JY
Chia
Jean-San
JS
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*
D003300:Copper; C036655:1,3-alpha-D-glucan synthase; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C110463:glucosyltransferase C; C113848:glucosyltransferase D