MecA in Streptococcus mutans is a multi-functional protein.

Abstract

MecA is known as an adaptor protein that works in concerto with ATPase ClpC and protease ClpP in the regulated proteolysis machinery. The results presented here provide further evidence that MecA in S. mutans, a keystone cariogenic bacterium, plays a significant role in its ability to facilitate mixed-species biofilm formation, a trait critical to its cariogenicity. Proteomics analysis, along with affinity pull-down and bacterial two-hybrid system, further confirm that MecA can also regulate S. mutans physiology and biofilm formation through pathways independent of the Clp proteolytic machinery, although how it functions independently of Clp awaits further investigation.