Targeting of streptococci by zoocin A

Åkesson, Maria; Dufour, Muriel; Sloan, Gary L.; Simmonds, Robin S.

doi:10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.00669.x

Cited by 23 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In this study a triple species biofilm model was used to determine whether zoocin A and lauricidin used in combination could specifically suppress the growth of S. mutans. The bacteria used in the model were chosen primarily because although all three were sensitive to lauricidin, only S. mutans was sensitive to zoocin A [Simmonds et al, 1995;Akesson et al, 2007]. The model used a continuous feed of sucrose supporting the development of high numbers of S. mutans , a thick biofilm layer, and a low pH, all of which are key characteristics of a cariogenic plaque.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoocin A and Lauricidin in Combination Reduce <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> Growth in a Multispecies Biofilm

Lester¹,

Simmonds²

2012

Caries Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Dental caries is the most prevalent human infection. It is a multifactorial disease in which the microbial composition of dental plaque plays a major role in the development of clinical symptoms. The bacteria most often implicated in the development of caries are that group of streptococci referred to as the mutans streptococci, in particular Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. One approach to the prevention of caries is to reduce the numbers of mutans streptococci in plaque to a level insufficient to support demineralization of the tooth. In this study, zoocin A, a peptidoglycan hydrolase, combined with lauricidin, a cell membrane active lipid, was shown over a 72 h period to selectively suppress the growth of S. mutans in a triple species biofilm. Growth of the non-target species Streptococcus oralis and Actinomyces viscosus was not inhibited. In treated systems the amount of extracellular polysaccharide matrix produced was much reduced as determined by use of fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated wheat germ agglutinin. The pH of treated biofilms remained above neutral as opposed to a value of 4.3 in untreated controls. We conclude that use of antimicrobial compounds that specifically target cariogenic bacteria should be further explored.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoocin A and Lauricidin in Combination Reduce <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> Growth in a Multispecies Biofilm

Lester¹,

Simmonds²

2012

Caries Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The N-terminal catalytic domain (CAT) has high degrees of similarity to several other bacteriolytic endopeptidases, including the staphylolytic enzyme lysostaphin. The C-terminal target recognition domain (TRD), which facilitates binding of the enzyme to peptidoglycan (1), has very little similarity to any characterized conserved domain.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Zif, the Zoocin A Immunity Factor, Is a FemABX-Like Immunity Protein with a Novel Mode of Action

Gargis

Heath

et al. 2009

Appl Environ Microbiol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Producer cell immunity to the streptococcolytic enzyme zoocin A, which is a D-alanyl-L-alanine endopeptidase, is due to Zif, the zoocin A immunity factor. Zif has high degrees of similarity to MurM and MurN (members of the FemABX family of proteins), which are responsible for the addition of amino acids to cross bridges during peptidoglycan synthesis in streptococci. In this study, purified peptidoglycans from strains with and without zif were compared to determine how Zif modifies the peptidoglycan layer to cause resistance to zoocin A. The peptidoglycan from each strain was hydrolyzed using the streptococcolytic phage lysin B30, and the resulting muropeptides were separated by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography, labeled with 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate, and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry in the negative-ion mode. It was determined that Zif alters the peptidoglycan by increasing the proportion of cross bridges containing three L-alanines instead of two. This modification decreased binding of the recombinant target recognition domain of zoocin A to peptidoglycan. Zif-modified peptidoglycan also was less susceptible to hydrolysis by the recombinant catalytic domain of zoocin A. Thus, Zif is a novel FemABX-like immunity factor because it provides resistance to a bacteriolytic endopeptidase by lengthening the peptidoglycan cross bridge rather than by causing an amino acid substitution.

show abstract

“…Zoocin A is a large, streptococcolytic enzyme (27,999 Da) with activity against S. mutans with a MIC range of 1-2 lg/mL [3] and S. sobrinus. Although Zoocin A is not a bacteriocin by definition, it is mentioned here because Zoocin A treatment effectively reduces S. mutans in a plaque model with effects persisting for up to 20 h [206].…”

Section: Other Bacteriocins With Anticaries Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antibacterial Peptides: Opportunities for the Prevention and Treatment of Dental Caries

Pepperney

Chikindas

2011

Probiotics & Antimicro. Prot.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease that is a growing and costly global health concern. The onset of disease is a consequence of an ecological imbalance within the dental plaque biofilm that favors specific acidogenic and aciduric caries pathogens, namely Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. It is now recognized by the scientific and medical community that it is neither possible nor desirable to totally eliminate dental plaque. Conversely, the chemical biocides most commonly used for caries prevention and treatment indiscriminately attack all plaque microorganisms. These treatments also suffer from other drawbacks such as bad taste, irritability, and staining. Furthermore, the public demand for safe and natural personal hygiene products continues to rise. Therefore, there are opportunities that exist to develop new strategies for the treatment of this disease. As an alternative to conventional antibiotics, antibacterial peptides have been explored greatly over the last three decades for many different therapeutic uses. There are currently tens of hundreds of antibacterial peptides characterized across the evolutionary spectrum, and among these, many demonstrate physical and/or biological properties that may be suitable for a more targeted approach to the selective control or elimination of putative caries pathogens. Additionally, many peptides, such as nisin, are odorless, colorless, and tasteless and do not cause irritation or staining. This review focuses on antibacterial peptides for their potential role in the treatment and prevention of dental caries and suggests candidates that need to be explored further. Practical considerations for the development of antibacterial peptides as oral treatments are also discussed.

show abstract

Targeting of streptococci by zoocin A

Cited by 23 publications

References 35 publications

Zoocin A and Lauricidin in Combination Reduce <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> Growth in a Multispecies Biofilm

Zoocin A and Lauricidin in Combination Reduce <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> Growth in a Multispecies Biofilm

Zif, the Zoocin A Immunity Factor, Is a FemABX-Like Immunity Protein with a Novel Mode of Action

Antibacterial Peptides: Opportunities for the Prevention and Treatment of Dental Caries

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About