Streptococcus oligofermentans inhibits Streptococcus mutans through conversion of lactic acid into inhibitory H2O2: a possible counteroffensive strategy for interspecies competition.

Streptococcus oligofermentans inhibits Streptococcus mutans through conversion of lactic acid into inhibitory H2O2: a possible counteroffensive strategy for interspecies competition. Research Abstract Details 

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Streptococcus oligofermentans inhibits Streptococcus mutans through conversion of lactic acid into inhibitory H2O2: a possible counteroffensive strategy for interspecies competition. Abstract Text:

Huichun Tong,Wei Chen,Justin Merritt,Fengxia Qi,Wenyuan Shi,Xiuzhu Dong,

The oral microbial flora contains over 500 different microbial species that often interact as a means to compete for limited space and nutritional resources. Streptococcus mutans, a major caries-causing pathogen, is a species which tends to interact competitively with other species in the oral cavity, largely due to its ability to generate copious quantities of the toxic metabolite, lactic acid. However, during a recent clinical study, we discovered a novel oral streptococcal species, Streptococcus oligofermentans, whose abundance appeared to be inversely correlated with that of S. mutans within dental plaque samples and thus suggested a possible antagonistic relationship with S. mutans. In this study, we used a defined in vitro interspecies interaction assay to confirm that S. oligofermentans was indeed able to inhibit the growth of S. mutans. Interestingly, this inhibitory effect was relatively specific to S. mutans and was actually enhanced by the presence of lactic acid. Biochemical analyses revealed that S. oligofermentans inhibited the growth of S. mutans via the production of hydrogen peroxide with lactic acid as the substrate. Further genetic and molecular analysis led to the discovery of the lactate oxidase (lox) gene of S. oligofermentans as responsible for this biological activity. Consequently, the lox mutant of S. oligofermentans also showed dramatically reduced inhibitory effects against S. mutans and also exhibited greatly impaired growth in the presence of the lactate produced by S. mutans. These data indicate that S. oligofermentans possesses the capacity to convert its competitor's main 'weapon' (lactic acid) into an inhibitory chemical (H(2)O(2)) in order to gain a competitive growth advantage. This fascinating ability may be an example of a counteroffensive strategy used during chemical warfare within the oral microbial community.

Streptococcus oligofermentans inhibits Streptococcus mutans through conversion of lactic acid into inhibitory H2O2: a possible counteroffensive strategy for interspecies competition. Publishing Authors By Initials

H Tong,W Chen,J Merritt,F Qi,W Shi,X Dong,

For similar bacteria: gram-positive bacteria: gram-positive cocci: streptococcaceae: streptococcus: viridans streptococci: streptococcus mutans research abstracts see: bacteria: gram-positive bacteria: gram-positive cocci: streptococcaceae: streptococcus: viridans streptococci: streptococcus mutans research

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Streptococcus oligofermentans inhibits Streptococcus mutans through conversion of lactic acid into inhibitory H2O2: a possible counteroffensive strategy for interspecies competition. Journal Published:

PUBLICATION TYPE: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov

Journal: Molecular microbiology

VOLUME: 63

Page Numbers: 872-80

Journal Abbreviation: Mol. Microbiol.

ISSN: 0950-382X

DAY: 3

MONTH: Feb

YEAR: 2007

Streptococcus oligofermentans inhibits Streptococcus mutans through conversion of lactic acid into inhibitory H2O2: a possible counteroffensive strategy for interspecies competition. Information

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LANGUAGE: eng

NlmUniqueID: 8712028

Streptococcus oligofermentans inhibits Streptococcus mutans through conversion of lactic acid into inhibitory H2O2: a possible counteroffensive strategy for interspecies competition. Keywords Mesh Terms:

KEYWORDS: Streptococcus mutans

MESH TERMS: metabolism

Chemical & Substance for Abstract: Streptococcus oligofermentans inhibits Streptococcus mutans through conversion of lactic acid into inhibitory H2O2: a possible counteroffensive strategy for interspecies competition. Information

Substance Name: lactate 2-monooxygenase

Registry Number: EC 1.13.12.4

Grant and Affiliation Information for Streptococcus oligofermentans inhibits Streptococcus mutans through conversion of lactic acid into inhibitory H2O2: a possible counteroffensive strategy for interspecies competition.

AFFILIATION: State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China.

Country: England

AGENCY: United States NCMHD

GRANT: MD01831

ACRONYM: MD

MEDLINETA: Mol Microbiol

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