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Post-translational modification by the Pgf glycosylation machinery modulates Streptococcus mutans OMZ175 physiology and virulence.
- Source :
-
Molecular microbiology [Mol Microbiol] 2024 Aug; Vol. 122 (2), pp. 133-151. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 16. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Streptococcus mutans is commonly associated with dental caries and the ability to form biofilms is essential for its pathogenicity. We recently identified the Pgf glycosylation machinery of S. mutans, responsible for the post-translational modification of the surface-associated adhesins Cnm and WapA. Since the four-gene pgf operon (pgfS-pgfM1-pgfE-pgfM2) is part of the S. mutans core genome, we hypothesized that the scope of the Pgf system goes beyond Cnm and WapA glycosylation. In silico analyses and tunicamycin sensitivity assays suggested a functional overlap between the Pgf machinery and the rhamnose-glucose polysaccharide synthesis pathway. Phenotypic characterization of pgf mutants (ΔpgfS, ΔpgfE, ΔpgfM1, ΔpgfM2, and Δpgf) revealed that the Pgf system is important for biofilm formation, surface charge, membrane stability, and survival in human saliva. Moreover, deletion of the entire pgf operon (Δpgf strain) resulted in significantly impaired colonization in a rat oral colonization model. Using Cnm as a model, we showed that Cnm is heavily modified with N-acetyl hexosamines but it becomes heavily phosphorylated with the inactivation of the PgfS glycosyltransferase, suggesting a crosstalk between these two post-translational modification mechanisms. Our results revealed that the Pgf machinery contributes to multiple aspects of S. mutans pathobiology that may go beyond Cnm and WapA glycosylation.<br /> (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Subjects :
- Glycosylation
Virulence
Animals
Humans
Rats
Adhesins, Bacterial metabolism
Adhesins, Bacterial genetics
Saliva microbiology
Dental Caries microbiology
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Carrier Proteins
Streptococcus mutans genetics
Streptococcus mutans metabolism
Streptococcus mutans pathogenicity
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
Biofilms growth & development
Operon
Bacterial Proteins metabolism
Bacterial Proteins genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1365-2958
- Volume :
- 122
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Molecular microbiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37972006
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/mmi.15190