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Cited by 508Oral microbiology and periodontitis researchBacterial biofilms and quorum sensingDental materials and restorations

Exopolysaccharides Produced by Streptococcus mutans Glucosyltransferases Modulate the Establishment of Microcolonies within Multispecies Biofilms

Open access
Koo, H., Xiao, J., Klein, M. I., Jeon, J. G.·2010·Journal of Bacteriology
DOI 10.1128/jb.01649-09PMC PMC2901689
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Abstract

Streptococcus mutans is a key contributor to the formation of the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrix in dental biofilms. The exopolysaccharides, which are mostly glucans synthesized by streptococcal glucosyltransferases (Gtfs), provide binding sites that promote accumulation of microorganisms on the tooth surface and further establishment of pathogenic biofilms. This study explored (i) the role of S. mutans Gtfs in the development of the EPS matrix and microcolonies in biofilms, (ii) the influence of exopolysaccharides on formation of microcolonies, and (iii) establishment of S. mutans in a multispecies biofilm in vitro using a novel fluorescence labeling technique. Our data show that the ability of S. mutans strains defective in the gtfB gene or the gtfB and gtfC genes to form microcolonies on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite surfaces was markedly disrupted. However, deletion of both gtfB (associated with insoluble glucan synthesis) and gtfC (associated with insoluble and soluble glucan synthesis) is required for the maximum reduction in EPS matrix and biofilm formation. S. mutans grown with sucrose in the presence of Streptococcus oralis and Actinomyces naeslundii steadily formed exopolysaccharides, which allowed the initial clustering of bacterial cells and further development into highly structured microcolonies. Concomitantly, S. mutans became the major species in the mature biofilm. Neither the EPS matrix nor microcolonies were formed in the presence of glucose in the multispecies biofilm. Our data show that GtfB and GtfC are essential for establishment of the EPS matrix, but GtfB appears to be responsible for formation of microcolonies by S. mutans ; these Gtf-mediated processes may enhance the competitiveness of S. mutans in the multispecies environment in biofilms on tooth surfaces.

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  • Processed carbohydrate consumption has been associated with increased incidence of periodontal disease.

    “Moreover, processed carbohydrate consumption has been associated with increased incidence of periodontal disease.8, 24, 26, 181, 188, 251”

    From The oral microbiome: Role of key organisms and complex networks in oral health and disease (2021) · cites this paper as [188]

  • Saccharolytic bacteria, including Streptococcus, Actinomyces, and Veillonella species, degrade carbohydrates via Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathways to produce acidic by-products including lactate, acetate, ethanol, and formate, which cause demineralization of dental enamel and development of carious lesions.

    “Saccharolytic bacteria, including Streptococcus, Actinomyces, and Veillonella species, degrade carbohydrates via the Embden‐Meyerhof‐Parnas pathways to produce acidic by‐products, including lactate, acetate, ethanol, and formate, which cause demineralization of dental enamel and the development of carious lesions.”

    From The oral microbiome: Role of key organisms and complex networks in oral health and disease (2021) · cites this paper as [188]

  • Carbohydrate use by S mutans is a well-recognized feature in the pathogenicity of dental caries.

    “Carbohydrate use by S mutans is a well‐recognized feature in the pathogenicity of dental caries.”

    From The oral microbiome: Role of key organisms and complex networks in oral health and disease (2021) · cites this paper as [188]

  • The exopolysaccharide matrix and related glucan constituents synthesized by glucosyltransferases provide binding sites for further bacterial colonization and contribute to resilience, bulk, and physical integrity of biofilm communities.

    “The exopolysaccharide matrix and related glucan constituents synthesized by glucosyltransferases provide binding sites for further bacterial colonization and contribute to the resilience, bulk, and physical integrity of biofilm communities.”

    From The oral microbiome: Role of key organisms and complex networks in oral health and disease (2021) · cites this paper as [188]

  • Streptococcus mutans is a key contributor to dental biofilms associated with formation of dental caries and plays a major role in development and establishment of extracellular polysaccharide matrices, which increase virulence of the biofilm and facilitate persistence of an acidic environment in the mouth.

    “Streptococcus mutans is a key contributor to dental biofilms associated with the formation of dental caries,44 and plays a major role in the development and establishment of extracellular polysaccharide matrices, which increase the virulence of the biofilm and facilitate persistence of an acidic environment in the mouth.”

    From The oral microbiome: Role of key organisms and complex networks in oral health and disease (2021) · cites this paper as [316]

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. In S. E. Mergenhagen and B. Rosan (ed.), Molecular basis of oral microbial adhesion. American Society for Microbi- ology, Washington, DC.

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Authors
Koo, H., Xiao, J., Klein, M. I., & Jeon, J. G.
Affiliations
  • University of Rochester Medicine (US)
  • Jeonbuk National University (KR)
Corresponding author
Koo, H.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Bacteriology
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Published
2010-06-15
Volume
192
Issue
12
Pages
3024-3032
ISSN
  • 0021-9193 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-5530
DOI
10.1128/jb.01649-09
PMC
PMC2901689
OpenAlex
W2133392602
Cited by
508
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 16
Type
conference abstract
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.asm.org/non-commercial-tdm-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Bacteriology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (DE018023, R01DE018023)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Orthodontics › Dental materials and restorations
Keywords
Streptococcus mutans, glucosyltransferase, exopolysaccharides, glucan synthesis, microcolonies, polymicrobial biofilms, dental plaque, gtfB, gtfC, Streptococcus oralis, Actinomyces naeslundii, sucrose, hydroxyapatite, biofilm formation, bacterial competitiveness
MeSH terms
Actinomyces, Culture Media, Glucose, Glucosyltransferases, Polysaccharides, Bacterial, Streptococcus mutans, Sucrose, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial, Biofilms, Streptococcus oralis

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