title: Biochemical and genome sequence analyses of Megasphaera sp. strain DISK18 from dental plaque of a healthy individual reveals commensal lifestyle.
abstract: Much of the work in periodontal microbiology in recent years has focused on identifying and understanding periodontal pathogens. As the majority of oral microbes have not yet been isolated in pure form, it is essential to understand the phenotypic characteristics of microbes to decipher their role in oral environment. In this study, strain DISK18 was isolated from gingival sulcus and identified as a Megasphaera species. Although metagenomics studies revealed Megasphaera species as a major group within the oral habitat, they have never been isolated in cultivable form to date. Therefore, we have characterized the DISK18 strain to better understand its role in the periodontal ecosystem. Strain Megasphaera sp. DISK18 displayed the ability to adhere and self-aggregate, which are essential requisite features for inhabiting and persisting in oral cavity. It also coaggregated with other pioneer oral colonizers like Streptococcus and Lactobacillus species but not with Veillonella. This behaviour points towards its role in the ecologic succession of a multispecies biofilm as an early colonizer. The absence of virulence determining genes as observed in whole genome sequence analysis coupled with an inability to degrade collagen reveals that Megasphaera sp. strain DISK18 is likely not a pathogenic species and emphasizes its commensal lifestyle.
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Nayudu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nallabelli
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Prashant P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Vijay Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Namrata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Prabhu B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Vishakha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Korpole
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D045851:Megasphaera / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D054892:Metagenome; D056186:Metagenomics / Q000379:methods; D010802:Phylogeny; D000073893:Sugars / Q000378:metabolism; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D000073336:Whole Genome Sequencing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000073893:Sugars; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D013455:Sulfur