Streptococcus mutans

This article is currently being developed as part of an Eduzendium student project. If you are not involved with this project, please refrain from collaboratively developing it until this notice is removed. Articles that lack this notice, including many Eduzendium ones, welcome your collaboration!

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria Phylum: Firmicutes Class: Cocci Order: Lactobacillales Family: Streptococcaceae Genus: Streptococcus Species: Mutans
Binomial name
Streptococcus mutans

Description and significance

The genus Streptococcus is defined mainly in terms of the morphology of the cells. These bacteria are gram-positive spherical cells that appear mainly in chains due to cell division in the same plane. Incomplete separation of divided cells produces the chain of cells which vary in length. [2]

Streptococcus mutans was first described by JK Clark in 1924 after he isolated it from a carious legion and published in "On the bacterial factor in the etiology of dental caries". Brit J Exp Pathol 5. Clarke also succeeded in producing caries in teeth in vitro with S. mutans, providing early evidence that S. mutans was a major cause of dental caries. Though discovered in the 1920's, it wasn’t until the 1960’s that a great deal of interest was generated when researchers began studying dental caries in detail. [2]

The group of oral streptococci closely related to S. mutans is referred to as the “mutans group” or mutans streptococci. The actual taxonomic bacteria Streptococcus mutans is always written in italics while the group name mutans streptococci is not. [3] The mutans group consists of S. rattus, S. mutans, S. cricetus, S. maccacae, S. sobrinus, and S. downeii. [2] S. mutans and S. sobrinus comprise the majority of the group and are only found in humans. [2] They can be distinguished by laboratory tests, but it is not always practical due to costs and time. There is no selective media that would allow the detection and separation of the species and laboratory work is therefore done on the entire mutans streptococci group. Because of its greater prevalence, most of the isolates will in fact be S. mutans. [3]

The two selective media that are widely used for isolating caries-related streptococci are based on Mitis-Salivarius agar and TYC agar to which the antibiotic Bacitracin is added (TYSCB). This suppresses the growth of most species but allows S. mutans and S. sobrinus to grow. The inclusion of sucrose leads to the formation of glucans and a distinctive colony appearance that aids in identification. [3]

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.

Streptococcus mutans is involved in the initial formation of the biofilm involves components of the oral flora to form dental plaque on teeth. This flora is extensive and may reach a thickness of 300-500 cells on the surface of the teeth. [1]

S. mutans as well as other bacteria that compose the normal oral flora provide valuable services to the human host. They occupy available colonization sites which makes it more difficult for other microorganisms to establish themselves. The oral flora also contributes to host nutrition through the synthesis of vitamins, and they contribute to immunity by inducing low levels of circulating and secretory antibodies that have the potential to react with other pathogens. In addition, the oral flora exerts microbial antagonism against foreign species through the production of inhibitory substances. [1]

One of the harmful effects of the normal flora, especially S. mutans, is bacterial synergism between a member of the normal flora and a potential pathogen. During the bacterial synergism, a member of the normal flora facilitates the growth of other potential pathogens. S. mutans facilitates such a condition through the initiation of the biofilm to which several oral bacteria adhere to and rely upon. S. mutans readily colonizes tooth surfaces and forms a thin film on the tooth called the enamel pellicle. It contains a cell-bound protein, glycosyl transferase, that serves as an adhesion for attachment to the tooth and produces lactic acid which demineralizes tooth enamel. Furthermore, if oral streptococci such as S. mutans are introduced into wounds created by dental manipulation or treatment, they may adhere to heart valves and initiate subacute bacterial endocarditis. [1]

Genome structure

S. mutans has a single double stranded circular genome. The sequence of the 2,030,936 bp Streptococcus mutans strain UA159 Genome is completed and the results published in the October 29, 2002 issue of Proceedings National Academy of Sciences USA. . This feat was accomplished first sequencing 12,000 individual, shotgun-based, double stranded templates. Next, a directed custom synthetic primer-based approach was used for closure and quality improvement to complete the sequence of the genome to a high level of accuracy. [5]

Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

In utero the human fetal oral cavity is sterile, but the colonization of bacteria begins at birth. Handling and feeding of the infant after birth leads to the establishment of a stable normal flora in the oral cavity in about 48 hours. Streptococcus salivarius is the first dominant colonizer and may make up 98% of the total oral flora until the appearance of teeth occurs around 6 to 9 months of age. After the eruption of teeth, S. mutans and S. sanguis colonize the oral cavity and persist as long as teeth remain.

S. mutans as well as other bacteria that compose the normal oral flora provide valuable services to the human host. They occupy available colonization sites which makes it more difficult for other microorganisms to establish themselves. The oral flora also contributes to host nutrition through the synthesis of vitamins, and they contribute to immunity by inducing low levels of circulating and secretory antibodies that have the potential to react with other pathogens. In addition, the oral flora exerts microbial antagonism against foreign species through the production of inhibitory substances. [1]

Pathology

Streptococcus mutans is involved in the initial formation of the biofilm involves components of the oral flora to form dental plaque on teeth. Glucan formation allows bacteria to stick to enamel of teeth and form a biofilm. This flora is extensive and may reach a thickness of 300-500 cells on the surface of the teeth. [1] Acid production through lactic acid fermentation drives the dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystals and promotes the growth and development of acidic bacteria. Acid tolerance allows cariogenic bacteria to thrive and exclude bacteria that cannot survive in a pH below 5.5.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

Researchers are working to interfere with key genes and proteins necessary for the survival of S. mutans to remove the ability of the bacteria to thrive in acidic conditions. Past research has shown that this ability has several components including the bacterial membrane bound enzyme fatty acid byosynthase M (FabM), which when shut down makes S. mutans 10,000 times more vulnerable to acid damage. In addition, early work suggests that FabM helps to resist the human body’s defenses. As a result, FabM is a major target for the design of new drugs. [4]

Researchers are also working to identify and rank every one of the 2,000 known S. mutans genes that contribute to its fitness. [4]

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

[1] http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/normalflora.html

[2] http://www.ncl.ac.uk/dental/oralbiol/oralenv/tutorials/streps.htm

[3] http://www.ebi.ac.uk/2can/genomes/bacteria/Streptococcus_mutans.html

[4] University of Rochester Medical Center. "No Tooth Brush, No Cavities? Cavity-causing Bacteria May Be Made To Self-destruct." ScienceDaily 7 January 2008. 2 April 2008.

[5] Streptococcus mutans strain UA159 Genome Sequencing

[6] P, Benjavongkulchai E, Luengpailin S, Ajdicacute D, Banas JA: Manganese Affects Streptococcus mutans Virulence Gene Expression. Caries Res 2007;41:503-511 (DOI: 10.1159/000110883)