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Updated: Sep 18, 2025
Generation of a Gene-disrupted Streptococcus mutans Strain Without Gene Cloning
Published on: October 23, 2017
Complete genome sequence of a tetracycline-resistant Streptococcus mutans strain carrying the tet(M) gene
Saki Nishihama1, Yujin Suzuki2, Tomoaki Shintani3
1Department of Biological Endodontics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan; Department of Bacteriology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan.
Introduction:
Tetracyclines are widely used in dental treatment. Here, we report the genomic information of the tetracycline-resistant Streptococcus mutans strain, HSM45, for the first time.
Methods:
Susceptibility to tetracycline was determined using the microdilution method. The complete genome sequence of HSM45 was determined and compared with public genome data.
Results:
HSM45 was resistant to tetracycline. The tetracycline resistance gene tet(M) was carried by Tn916, a conjugative transposon that is widely found in Gram-positive bacteria.
Conclusion:
This study showed that S. mutans can acquire tetracycline resistance and it can also be a source of horizontal transfer of resistance genes.
