Abstract
Many clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans produce peptide antibiotics called mutacins. Mutacin production may play an important role in the ecology of S. mutans in dental plaque. In this study, inactivation of a histidine kinase gene, ciaH, abolished mutacin production. Surprisingly, the same mutation also diminished competence development, stress tolerance, and sucrose-dependent biofilm formation.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Bacteriocins / biosynthesis*
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Biofilms / growth & development*
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Gene Deletion*
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Heat-Shock Response
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Histidine Kinase
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Humans
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Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
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Protein Kinases / genetics*
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Protein Kinases / metabolism
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Streptococcus mutans / genetics
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Streptococcus mutans / growth & development
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Streptococcus mutans / metabolism
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Streptococcus mutans / physiology*
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Sucrose / metabolism
Substances
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Bacteriocins
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mutacin I
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Sucrose
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Protein Kinases
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Histidine Kinase