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Comprehensive analysis of bacteriocins in Streptococcus mutans
Atsuko Watanabe1, Miki Kawada-Matsuo2,3, Mi Nguyen-Tra Le2,3
1Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|June 22, 2021
Summary
Streptococcus mutans bacteriocins, including mutacins, show varied antibacterial activity. Genome analysis revealed diverse bacteriocin gene distribution in strains, impacting oral bacterial composition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Streptococcus mutans produces bacteriocins with antibacterial properties.
- Comprehensive analysis of S. mutans bacteriocins and their genetic distribution is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of bacteriocin genes (mutacins I-IV, K8, Smb) in S. mutans strains.
- To analyze the antibacterial activity of S. mutans strains based on their bacteriocin gene profiles.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of 125 S. mutans strains from volunteers.
- Whole genome sequencing and analysis to identify bacteriocin genes.
- Determination of antibacterial activity against oral bacteria.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of mutacin I (17 strains), mutacin II (5 strains), mutacin III (2 strains), mutacin IV (67 strains), mutacin K8 (23 strains), and Smb (32 strains) identified.
- Variations in bacteriocin gene sequences were observed in some strains.
- 84% of strains carried at least one bacteriocin gene; 65.1% carried one, 20.2% carried two, and 3.9% carried three.
- Distinct antibacterial activity patterns were observed for each bacteriocin gene-positive strain.
Conclusions:
- Individual S. mutans strains exhibit unique bacteriocin gene profiles.
- These variations in bacteriocin production likely influence the composition of dental plaque microbiota.
