Genetic transformation of putative cariogenic properties in Streptococcus mutans.

Full Abstract

Rough colonial morphology and bacteriocin production, two properties which may be associated with the cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans, were transformed into several strain GS-5 mutants defective in each respective property. Transformation was determined by observing the frequency of cotransfer of these properties with different reference markers. The rough colonial transformants were identical to the parental GS-5 strain with respect to ability to synthesize water-insoluble glucans and undergo in vitro sucrose-dependent colonization of glass surfaces. Alterations in the growth medium and the concentration of the initial cell inoculum resulted in an approximate 10-fold increase in the frequency of transformation of strain GS-5 compared to previous observations.

Author information

Author/s: Perry, D (D); Wondrack, L M (LM); Kuramitsu, H K (HK);

Grants: DE-03258 (Agency:NIDCR NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Infection and immunity (Infect Immun), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1983-Aug; vol 41 (issue 2) : pp 722-7

Dates: Created 1983/09/09; Completed 1983/09/09; Revised 2008/11/20;

PMID: 6223884, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

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