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Characterization of a Signaling System in Streptococcus mitis That Mediates Interspecies Communication with
R Junges1, K Sturød2, G Salvadori2
1Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway roger.junges@odont.uio.no f.c.petersen@odont.uio.no.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|November 4, 2018
Summary
Streptococcus mitis utilizes an Rgg/SHP system for cell-to-cell communication, activating its own genes and cross-communicating with Streptococcus pneumoniae to influence virulence. This highlights bacterial communication
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial communication
- Microbiome research
Background:
- Streptococcus mitis is a key component of the human oral and nasopharyngeal microbiome.
- Bacteria use quorum sensing systems for cell-to-cell communication.
- Rgg/SHP systems are known regulators in some streptococcal species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and function of an Rgg/SHP cell-to-cell communication system in Streptococcus mitis.
- To determine the downstream targets regulated by this system in S. mitis.
- To explore the cross-communication potential between S. mitis and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Main Methods:
- In silico analysis to identify the Rgg/SHP system components.
- Autoinducing assays and genetic mutation analysis to determine Rgg's regulatory role.
- Transcriptome analysis to identify downstream regulated genes.
- Coculture experiments to assess cross-species communication and reporter strain activity.
Main Results:
- S. mitis possesses an Rgg/SHP system where Rgg functions as an activator, not a repressor.
- The system regulates the shp gene and a lantibiotic gene cluster segment.
- S. mitis SHP effectively promotes cross-species communication, enhancing S. pneumoniae surface polysaccharide production.
- Coculture experiments confirmed cross-communication activity and a slight competitive advantage for rgg mutants.
Conclusions:
- The Rgg/SHP system in S. mitis regulates its own shp expression and activates the S. pneumoniae Rgg/SHP system, impacting virulence factors.
- Cross-communication between S. mitis and S. pneumoniae occurs during coculture and may play a role in multispecies interactions.
- Understanding these communication networks offers insights into bacterial community dynamics and potential virulence mechanisms.
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