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Dual functions of Streptococcus salivarius urease
Y Y Chen1, C A Weaver, R A Burne
1Center for Oral Biology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
Journal of Bacteriology
|July 27, 2000
Summary
Streptococcus salivarius utilizes urea for nitrogen and acid protection via urease. A urease-deficient mutant lost these abilities, highlighting urease
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Enzymology
Background:
- Streptococcus salivarius is a common oral bacterium.
- Urea hydrolysis by urease enzyme is crucial for bacterial survival in acidic environments.
- Urea can serve as a nitrogen source for bacterial growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of urease in Streptococcus salivarius.
- To determine the contribution of urease to acid tolerance and nitrogen metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a urease-deficient Streptococcus salivarius mutant using allelic exchange at the ureC locus.
- Comparison of acid resistance between wild-type and mutant strains.
- Assessment of urea utilization for growth in the mutant and wild-type strains.
Main Results:
- The urease-deficient mutant of Streptococcus salivarius was susceptible to acid killing.
- Wild-type Streptococcus salivarius demonstrated acid resistance through urea hydrolysis.
- Urea was confirmed as a nitrogen source for Streptococcus salivarius growth, dependent on urease activity.
Conclusions:
- Urease is essential for Streptococcus salivarius acid resistance.
- The urease-dependent pathway is critical for utilizing urea as a nitrogen source for growth.