title: Genetic diversity of competence gene loci in clinical genotypes of Streptococcus mutans.
abstract: The frequencies of 21 competence genes were analyzed in 94 genotypes of Streptococcus mutans. These include those of a main regulatory system (comCDE), structural, and other regulatory orthologues identified in the genome of strain UA159. PCR and Southern blot analysis revealed that all genes are widespread within the species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Piracicaba School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marlise I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Sungyon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Flávia M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Flório
authors.forename: José Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Höfling
authors.forename: Reginaldo B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Renata O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Mattos-Graner
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D023061:Gene Order; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000235:genetics*; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C423628:competence factor, Streptococcus