Abstract
Veillonella spp. are predominant bacteria found in all oral biofilms. In this study, a metatranscriptomic approach was used to investigate the gene expression levels of three oral Veillonella spp. (V. parvula, V. dispar and V. atypica) in whole stimulated saliva from caries-free volunteers and in carious lesions (n = 11 for each group). In the lesions the greatest proportion of reads were assigned to V. parvula and genes with the highest level of expression in carious samples were those coding for membrane transport systems. All three Veillonella spp. increased expression of genes involved in the catabolism of lactate and succinate, notably the alpha- and beta-subunits of L(+)-tartrate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.32). There was also significantly increased expression of histidine biosynthesis pathway in V. parvula, suggesting higher intra-cellular levels of histidine that could provide intra-cellular buffering capacity and, therefore, assist survival in the acidic environment. Various other systems such as potassium uptake systems were also up regulated that may aid in the survival and proliferation of V. parvula in carious lesions.
Highlights
Veillonella are obligate anaerobic Gram-negative small cocci isolated from the oral cavity and intestinal tract of humans and animals that gain energy from the utilization of short-chain organic acids, lactate and succinate (Delwiche et al, 1985)
16.62 ± 11.17 per cent, 2.18 ± 1.13 per cent and 0.91 ± 0.43 percent of the mapped reads were assigned to V. parvula, V. dispar, and V. atypica, respectively, compared with 4.76 ± 7.21, 7.08 ± 5.07, and 4.09 ± 3.47 in the saliva samples (Table 1)
It should be expected that the concentration of organic acids in saliva is less than that of carious lesions, since subjects had refrained from eating for 2 h prior sample collection, organic acids and dietary components should have cleared from the mouth
Summary
Veillonella are obligate anaerobic Gram-negative small cocci isolated from the oral cavity and intestinal tract of humans and animals that gain energy from the utilization of short-chain organic acids, lactate and succinate (Delwiche et al, 1985). V. parvula has often been detected as the predominant Veillonella species isolated from active occlusal carious lesions (Arif et al, 2008; Beighton et al, 2008). Based on these studies, each Veillonella species seems to occupy different intra-oral habitats with limited degree of overlap between species. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the transcriptome of three of the predominant human oral Veillonella (V. parvula, V. dispar, and V. atypica) present in caries lesions and in the saliva of caries-free individuals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
