The proposed research aims to investigate the regulatory mechanism used by LytTR Regulatory Systems (LRS) as well as explore a cell death pathway triggered by these systems in Streptococcus mutans. LRS are a newly described gene regulatory system that consists of a LytTR family transcription regulator and putative membrane protein inhibitor that antagonizes the function of this regulator. The goals of this project will b achieved in three aims by: 1) determining the inhibitory mechanism employed by LRS membrane proteins; 2) characterizing the components downstream of LRS responsible for mediating cell death; and 3) developing a therapeutic model of the LRS cell death pathway. 1) To determine how LRS membrane proteins function as inhibitors, we will examine three different mechanisms of inhibition: protein stability, posttranslational modification, and sequestration. Protein-protein interaction studies will determine whether LRS membrane proteins exert their function directly. 2) To characterize the mediators of cell death, we will use genetic techniques to determine the genes/pathways required for the lethal phenotype of a mutant strain that constitutively activates the LRS cell death pathway. 3) To assess the therapeutic potential of the LRS cell death pathway, we will test a positive feedback regulatory model between three S. mutans LRS. An inducible cell death system will be tested for functionality in in vitro and in vivo model systems. The goal of these studies is to create a model system for LRS function in Gram positive bacteria and to determine the potential utility of the LRS cell death pathway in inhibitin preformed biofilm communities.

Public Health Relevance

Dental caries is one of the most common infectious diseases in humans and is largely correlated with the overgrowth of Streptococcus mutans. These studies aim to reduce the prevalence of S. mutans and reduce the caries burden by examining a gene regulatory system that can used to inhibit the growth of S. mutans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DE022083-04
Application #
9124882
Study Section
Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences Study Section (ODCS)
Program Officer
Lunsford, Dwayne
Project Start
2013-09-13
Project End
2017-08-31
Budget Start
2016-09-01
Budget End
2017-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Dentistry
Type
Schools of Dentistry/Oral Hygn
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Cheng, Xingqun; Redanz, Sylvio; Cullin, Nyssa et al. (2018) Plasticity of the Pyruvate Node Modulates Hydrogen Peroxide Production and Acid Tolerance in Multiple Oral Streptococci. Appl Environ Microbiol 84:
Zou, Zhengzhong; Qin, Hua; Brenner, Amanda E et al. (2018) LytTR Regulatory Systems: A potential new class of prokaryotic sensory system. PLoS Genet 14:e1007709
Redanz, Sylvio; Cheng, Xingqun; Giacaman, Rodrigo A et al. (2018) Live and let die: Hydrogen peroxide production by the commensal flora and its role in maintaining a symbiotic microbiome. Mol Oral Microbiol 33:337-352
Redanz, Sylvio; Masilamani, Revathi; Cullin, Nyssa et al. (2018) Distinct Regulatory Role of Carbon Catabolite Protein A (CcpA) in Oral Streptococcal spxB Expression. J Bacteriol 200:
Zhang, Shan; Zou, Zhengzhong; Kreth, Jens et al. (2017) Recombineering in Streptococcus mutans Using Direct Repeat-Mediated Cloning-Independent Markerless Mutagenesis (DR-CIMM). Front Cell Infect Microbiol 7:202
Knapp, Steven; Brodal, Clint; Peterson, John et al. (2017) Natural Competence Is Common among Clinical Isolates of Veillonella parvula and Is Useful for Genetic Manipulation of This Key Member of the Oral Microbiome. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 7:139
Cullin, Nyssa; Redanz, Sylvio; Lampi, Kirsten J et al. (2017) Murein Hydrolase LytF of Streptococcus sanguinis and the Ecological Consequences of Competence Development. Appl Environ Microbiol 83:
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Liu, Nan; Chaudhry, Muhammad T; Xie, Zhoujie et al. (2017) Identification of New Degrons in Streptococcus mutans Reveals a Novel Strategy for Engineering Targeted, Controllable Proteolysis. Front Microbiol 8:2572
Itzek, A; Chen, Z; Merritt, J et al. (2017) Effect of salivary agglutination on oral streptococcal clearance by human polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes. Mol Oral Microbiol 32:197-210

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