title: Influence of apigenin on gtf gene expression in Streptococcus mutans UA159.
abstract: Apigenin, a potent inhibitor of glucosyltransferase activity, affects the accumulation of Streptococcus mutans biofilms in vitro by reducing the formation of insoluble glucans and enhancing the soluble glucan content of the polysaccharide matrix. In the present study, we investigated the influence of apigenin on gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD expression in S. mutans UA159. Apigenin (0.1 mM) significantly decreased the expression of gtfB and gtfC mRNA (P < 0.05); in contrast, it increased the expression of gtfD in S. mutans growing in the planktonic state. The protein levels of GTF B, GTF C, and GTF D in culture supernatants were also affected; less GTF B and C were detected, whereas the level of GTF D was significantly elevated (P < 0.05). A similar profile of gtf expression was obtained with biofilms, although an elevated concentration (1 mM) of apigenin was required to elicit the effects. The influence of apigenin on gtf gene expression was independent of any effect on GTF activity, did not involve inhibition of growth or effects on pH, and was not affected by addition of sucrose. The data show that apigenin modulates the genetic expression of virulence factors in S. mutans.
authors.affiliation: Eastman Department of Dentistry and Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 625 Elmwood Ave., Box 683, Rochester, NY 14620, USA. Hyun_Koo@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seils
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abranches
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Burne
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Quivey
mesh_terms: D047310:Apigenin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D047310:Apigenin; C036655:1,3-alpha-D-glucan synthase; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C110463:glucosyltransferase C; C113848:glucosyltransferase D