Abstract
Streptococcus mutans is the bacteria most frequently associated with dental caries. One of its virulence factors is its ability to form biofilm. gtf, ftf and spaP are genes of S. mutans that are involved in adhesion and colonization of teeth surfaces and therefore biofilm formation. Exopolysaccharides are catalyzed by a group of bacterial enzymes termed glycosyltransferases (GTF) and fructosyltransferases (FTF), encoded by the genes gtf and ftf, respectively, which under certain conditions can be strongly associated with cell surfaces. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the pathogens associated with S. mutans. We carried out research to determine whether the presence of glucose and L. acidophilus promote adhesion mechanisms that increase the expression of gtf, ftf and spaP of S. mutans. Key words: Exopolysaccharides, dental caries, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, glucose, gtf, ftf, spaP.
Highlights
Expression of adhere a ence g genes o of cus mu utans in n the p presen nce of Strepttococc
Exo opolysaccha arides are catalyzed by b a group off bacterial en nzymes term med glycosylttransferases s (GTF) and ffructosyltran nsferases (FTF), enco oded by the genes gtf and ftf, respe ectively, whic ch under ce ertain conditions can be e strongly s associated associated with cell su urfaces
The aim of this study is to assess if Lactobacilli can positively or negatively influence the virulance of bacteria; the objective of this research is to determine whether the presence of glucose and L. acidophilus promote adhesion mechanisms that increase the expression of gtf, ftf and spaP of S. mutans
Summary
Streptococc cus mutans is the bacterria most freq quently asso ciated with d dental caries s. Gtf, ftf and a spaP arre genes of S. mutans that are inv volved in adhesion and a colonization of teeth h surfaces and a e biofilm forrmation. We carried ou ut research to determine whether tthe presence e of glucose e and L. aciidophilus promote ad dhesion mech hanisms that increase th he expressio n of gtf, ftf a and spaP of S. Stre eptococcus mutans m is sttrongly assoc ciated with the t onsset and progrression of de ental caries, one o of the mo ost freq quent public health probllems in the world that can c com mpromise ove erall health through t the years y (Allukia an, 00). Gra am-positive, acidogenic a microorganism m m that ferments gluccose, lactose e, raffinose an nd mannitol; iti is non mobile, cata alase-positive e and can metabolize m sucrose
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