Molecular basis for the different sucrose-dependent adherence properties of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis

Abstract

The enzymatic and adherence properties of Streptococcus mutans GS5 and S. sanguis ST3, both isolated from human carious lesions, have been compared. During growth in sucrose media, S. mutans GS5 adheres to smooth surfaces approximately three times more effectively than does S. sanguis ST3. However, strain ST3 does not display sucrose-dependent adherence under nongrowth conditions, whereas strain GS5 displays significant adherence. Although both organisms synthesize both water-soluble and -insoluble glucans, the glucosyltransferases from S. mutans GS5 synthesize much more adherent glucan molecules than do the comparable enzymes from S. sanguis ST3. Both cell types bind exogenous glucosyltransferases synthesized by strain ST3 equally well, whereas cells of strain GS5 bind the comparable enzyme fraction that it synthesizes to a greater degree than do cells of S. sanguis ST3. However, in contrast to the results with cells of S. mutans GS5, the absorption of the glucosyltransferase activity synthesized by S. mutans GS5 to the surface ofS. sanguis ST3 results in low levels of subsequent sucrose-dependent adherence. These results are discussed in terms of the molecular basis for the sucrose-dependent adherence of the oral streptococci to smooth surfaces.

Effect of sucrose in culture media on the location of glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus mutans and cell adherence to glass surfaces

“…2C1336, 1977) revealed that many clinically isolated strains of S. sanguis also bound the cell-free GTase produced by S. mutans B13, synthesized cell-bound glucans, and produced adherence in the presence of sucrose. Adherence of few strains of S. sanguis due to the GTase of S. mutans has been reported by other laboratories (13,18). The presence of a variety of bacteria in dental plaque, a complex ecosystem, may be explained by these results.…”

Effect of chlorhexidine on the relative proportions of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis in hamster plaque

“…These effects seem to be dependent on the ability of S. mutans to synthesize extracellular glucans from sucrose (11). Recent data show that S. mutans is able to synthesize much more adherent insoluble glucans from sucrose than is S. sanguis (24,27). Furthermore, the findings presented by CLARK& GiBBONS (2) indicate that glucan synthesis from sucrose primarily promotes cell-tocell adhesion, thereby facilitating the accumulation of 5. mutans cells after their attachment on teeth.…”

Purification and characterization of a saliva-interacting cell-wall protein from Streptococcus mutans serotype f by using monoclonal-antibody immunoaffinity chromatography

“…A series of observations indicate that Streptococcus mutans binding to the tooth surface in the oral cavity is a two-step reaction, involving initial attachment of cells followed by co-aggregation with other bacterial species (Clark & Gibbons, 1977;Kuramitsu & Ingersoll, 1977). Adherence of S. mutans seems to be mediated by salivary glycoproteins, which are selectively adsorbed on to the hydroxyapatite of tooth enamel and form the acquired pellicle (Hamada & Slade, 1980).…”