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Purification of a High Molecular Mass Protein in Streptococcus mutans
Published on: September 14, 2019
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Nutritionally Variant Streptococci Interfere with Streptococcus mutans Adhesion Properties and Biofilm Formation
Fabrizio Angius1, Maria Antonietta Madeddu1, Raffaello Pompei1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.
The New Microbiologica
|May 5, 2015
Summary
Nutritionally variant streptococci (NVS) inhibit Streptococcus mutans, the primary cause of dental caries. NVS prevent S. mutans adhesion and microcolony formation, acting as a natural antagonist.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Dental caries research
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Streptococcus mutans is the primary bacterial agent responsible for human dental caries.
- Existing oral flora do not effectively inhibit S. mutans' cariogenic potential.
- Preventing S. mutans colonization is a key strategy for dental caries prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ability of nutritionally variant streptococcal strains (NVS) to interfere with S. mutans adhesion.
- To explore the mechanism by which NVS inhibit S. mutans.
- To assess the potential of NVS as a natural antagonist against S. mutans.
Main Methods:
- Co-culture experiments of NVS and S. mutans on glass surfaces.
- Adhesion assays using radiolabeled S. mutans on hydroxylapatite in the presence of saliva and sucrose.
- Analysis of bacterial surface hydrophobicity and adhesion properties.
- Testing the effect of NVS cell-free culture filtrate on S. mutans adhesion.
Main Results:
- NVS completely inhibited S. mutans microcolony formation in mixed cultures.
- NVS significantly blocked S. mutans adherence to hydroxylapatite.
- NVS exhibited higher surface hydrophobicity and stronger adhesion to surfaces compared to S. mutans.
- NVS culture filtrate also interfered with S. mutans adhesion, suggesting enzymatic activity.
Conclusions:
- NVS act as a natural antagonist to Streptococcus mutans.
- NVS interfere with S. mutans adhesion through surface interactions and potentially secreted bacteriolytic enzymes.
- NVS demonstrate potential for novel strategies in preventing dental caries.
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