Ecological Implications of Glucosyltransferase Phase Variation in Streptococcus Gordonii

Overview

Journal Appl Environ Microbiol

Specialties Environmental Health
Microbiology

Date 1991 Dec 1

PMID 1838470

Citations 7

Authors

M M Vickerman

D B Clewell

G W Jones

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

When sucrose is provided as a substrate for glucosyltransferase (GTF), Spp+ cells of the oral bacteria Streptococcus gordonii grow embedded in an insoluble glucan mass associated with surfaces. Spp- phase variants with lower GTF activity, which either arise from or are grown with Spp+ cells, segregate preferentially as unattached cells in the culture supernatants. Conversely, Spp+ revertants preferentially accumulate on surfaces. GTF phase variation, therefore, may facilitate the dispersion of S. gordonii cells throughout the oral cavity.

Citing Articles

Growth, development, and gene expression in a persistent Streptococcus gordonii biofilm.

Gilmore K, Srinivas P, Akins D, Hatter K, Gilmore M Infect Immun. 2003; 71(8):4759-66.

PMID: 12874358 PMC: 166047. DOI: 10.1128/IAI.71.8.4759-4766.2003.

Genetic analysis of the rgg-gtfG junctional region and its role in Streptococcus gordonii glucosyltransferase activity.

Vickerman M, Minick P Infect Immun. 2002; 70(4):1703-14.

PMID: 11895932 PMC: 127849. DOI: 10.1128/IAI.70.4.1703-1714.2002.

Deletions in the carboxyl-terminal region of Streptococcus gordonii glucosyltransferase affect cell-associated enzyme activity and sucrose-associated accumulation of growing cells.

Vickerman M, Clewell D Appl Environ Microbiol. 1997; 63(5):1667-73.

PMID: 9143100 PMC: 168460. DOI: 10.1128/aem.63.5.1667-1673.1997.

Changes in the carboxyl-terminal repeat region affect extracellular activity and glucan products of Streptococcus gordonii glucosyltransferase.

Vickerman M, Sulavik M, Minick P, Clewell D Infect Immun. 1996; 64(12):5117-28.

PMID: 8945555 PMC: 174497. DOI: 10.1128/iai.64.12.5117-5128.1996.

Phase variation of slime production in Staphylococcus aureus: implications in colonization and virulence.

Baselga R, Albizu I, de la Cruz M, Del Cacho E, Barberan M, Amorena B Infect Immun. 1993; 61(11):4857-62.

PMID: 8406887 PMC: 281244. DOI: 10.1128/iai.61.11.4857-4862.1993.

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