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L-(+)-lactate dehydrogenase deficiency is lethal in Streptococcus mutans
A Chen1, J D Hillman, M Duncan
1Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville 32610.
Journal of Bacteriology
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) deficiency is lethal in Streptococcus mutans. Researchers created a mutant strain lacking functional LDH, which could not grow at higher temperatures, confirming LDH
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Streptococcus mutans is a key pathogen in dental caries.
- L-(+)-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is crucial for Streptococcus mutans metabolism.
- Understanding LDH's essentiality can reveal new therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the essentiality of L-(+)-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in Streptococcus mutans.
- To create a Streptococcus mutans deficient in LDH activity.
Main Methods:
- In vitro mutagenesis of the Streptococcus mutans ldh gene.
- Introduction of the mutated gene into Escherichia coli and Streptococcus mutans.
- Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus mutans strains with specific LDH gene expression.
Main Results:
- A thermolabile mutant LDH gene (ldh(Ts)) was generated.
- A Streptococcus mutans strain expressing only the thermolabile LDH was created.
- This strain exhibited temperature-sensitive growth, failing to grow at 42°C.
Conclusions:
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity is essential for the viability of Streptococcus mutans under standard conditions.
- LDH deficiency is lethal in Streptococcus mutans without compensatory mutations.
- This finding highlights LDH as a potential target for antimicrobial strategies.