Genetic variability of mutans streptococci revealed by wide whole-genome sequencing
Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.2012
Publikationstyp
Journal Article
Date Issued
2013-06-28
Sprache
English
TORE-DOI
Journal
Volume
14
Issue
1
Start Page
430
Citation
BMC Genomics 1 (14): 430 (2013)
Publisher DOI
Scopus ID
Publisher
BioMed Central
Background: Mutans streptococci are a group of bacteria significantly contributing to tooth decay. Their genetic variability is however still not well understood.Results: Genomes of 6 clinical S. mutans isolates of different origins, one isolate of S. sobrinus (DSM 20742) and one isolate of S. ratti (DSM 20564) were sequenced and comparatively analyzed. Genome alignment revealed a mosaic-like structure of genome arrangement. Genes related to pathogenicity are found to have high variations among the strains, whereas genes for oxidative stress resistance are well conserved, indicating the importance of this trait in the dental biofilm community. Analysis of genome-scale metabolic networks revealed significant differences in 42 pathways. A striking dissimilarity is the unique presence of two lactate oxidases in S. sobrinus DSM 20742, probably indicating an unusual capability of this strain in producing H2O2 and expanding its ecological niche. In addition, lactate oxidases may form with other enzymes a novel energetic pathway in S. sobrinus DSM 20742 that can remedy its deficiency in citrate utilization pathway.Using 67 S. mutans genomes currently available including the strains sequenced in this study, we estimates the theoretical core genome size of S. mutans, and performed modeling of S. mutans pan-genome by applying different fitting models. An "open" pan-genome was inferred.Conclusions: The comparative genome analyses revealed diversities in the mutans streptococci group, especially with respect to the virulence related genes and metabolic pathways. The results are helpful for better understanding the evolution and adaptive mechanisms of these oral pathogen microorganisms and for combating them. © 2013 Song et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Subjects
Mutans Streptococci
Streptococcus Mutans
Streptococcus Ratti
Streptococcus Sobrinus
Comparative Genomics,
Core-genome
Pan-genome
Pathogenicity
Lactate Oxidase
Metabolic Network
DDC Class
570: Biowissenschaften, Biologie
610: Medizin
More Funding Information
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung