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Related Experiment Videos

Dispensable genes and foreign DNA in Streptococcus mutans.

Janet C Waterhouse1, Roy R B Russell1

  • 1Oral Biology, School of Dental Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, UK.

Microbiology (Reading, England)
|June 1, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Streptococcus mutans strains exhibit significant genomic variation, with dispensable genes widely distributed through horizontal gene transfer, indicating a core and dispensable genome structure.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Streptococcus mutans strains display variable properties like sugar utilization and mutacin production.
  • Genomic sequencing of S. mutans UA159 revealed putative genomic islands and insertion-sequence elements.
  • These elements suggest the presence of foreign DNA and genomic plasticity in S. mutans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genomic variation among diverse Streptococcus mutans strains.
  • To identify the presence and distribution of insertion-sequence elements and genomic islands.
  • To understand the mechanisms driving genomic diversity in S. mutans.

Main Methods:

  • Designing PCR primers based on the S. mutans UA159 genome sequence.
  • Analyzing a collection of 39 S. mutans strains isolated globally over 40 years.

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  • Investigating insertion/deletion events and the presence of foreign DNA.

    • Main Results:

    • Extensive genomic differences were detected among the analyzed S. mutans strains.
    • Similar insertion and deletion events were observed in strains from different origins.
    • In two cases, foreign DNA insertion appeared to have displaced native S. mutans genes.
    • Deletions in sugar metabolism genes were also noted.

    Conclusions:

    • Streptococcus mutans possesses a core genome and a dispensable genome.
    • Dispensable genes are widely distributed across strains, likely via horizontal gene transfer.
    • Genomic plasticity and horizontal gene transfer contribute significantly to S. mutans evolution and diversity.