Genetic, biochemical and immunological approaches will be used to investigate the genetic and biochemical bases for the virulence of the Streptococcus mutans group S. mutans, S. sobrinus, S. cricetus, and S. rattus of cariogenic bacteria. S. mutans DNA has been and will continue to be cloned into appropriate Escherichia coli K-12 hosts. Clones specifying information thought to be important in contributing to the ability of S. mutans to colonize and display virulence will be characterized. Methods will be developed using cloned gene probes to quantify mRNA levels to investigate regulation of S. mutans genes for colonization and virulence attributes and for enzymes of intermediary carbohydrate metabolism. The specific projects to be pursued are to: (i) continue molecular genetic analysis of the spaA gene and biochemical characterization of the SpaA protein in relation to its functions and interactions with other surface macromolecules, (ii) continue molecular genetic analysis of the dex gene and to characterize dextranase and its endogenous inhibitor to define their roles in adherence and in glucan synthesis, (iii) continue modification of the asd gene encoding beta-aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase for use in cloning vectors and to establish mechanism(s) for regulation of the asd gene in relation to pyrimidine synthesis and cell wall assembly, (iv) clone genes for the phosphotransferase system (PTS) and conduct studies to establish mechanisms for sugar transport and utilization, and (v) clone genes for glycogen synthesis and breakdown and conduct studies to determine how these genes are regulated. These studies will contribute to understanding how S. mutans maintains metabolic activity, including ability for acid production, in the plaque environment with variation in the availability of nutrients and in response to activities of other plaque microorganisms. These studies should also provide information on how S. mutans protects itself when exposed to environmental stresses, especially those that interfere with cell wall or cell membrane synthesis or function. The research will be done in conformance with the NIH guidelines for recombinant DNA research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
2R37DE006673-06
Application #
3482827
Study Section
Oral Biology and Medicine Study Section (OBM)
Project Start
1983-08-01
Project End
1993-07-31
Budget Start
1988-08-01
Budget End
1989-07-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
062761671
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Sun, J W; Wanda, S Y; Curtiss 3rd, R (1995) Purification, characterization, and specificity of dextranase inhibitor (Dei) expressed from Streptococcus sobrinus UAB108 gene cloned in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 177:1703-11
Wanda, S Y; Curtiss 3rd, R (1994) Purification and characterization of Streptococcus sobrinus dextranase produced in recombinant Escherichia coli and sequence analysis of the dextranase gene. J Bacteriol 176:3839-50
Sun, J W; Wanda, S Y; Camilli, A et al. (1994) Cloning and DNA sequencing of the dextranase inhibitor gene (dei) from Streptococcus sobrinus. J Bacteriol 176:7213-22
Wanda, S Y; Camilli, A; Murchison, H M et al. (1994) Overproduction of a dextranase inhibitor by Streptococcus sobrinus mutants. J Bacteriol 176:7206-12
Doggett, T A; Jagusztyn-Krynicka, E K; Curtiss 3rd, R (1993) Immune responses to Streptococcus sobrinus surface protein antigen A expressed by recombinant Salmonella typhimurium. Infect Immun 61:1859-66
Jagusztyn-Krynicka, E K; Clark-Curtiss, J E; Curtiss 3rd, R (1993) Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin subunit B fusions with Streptococcus sobrinus antigens expressed by Salmonella typhimurium oral vaccine strains: importance of the linker for antigenicity and biological activities of the hybrid proteins. Infect Immun 61:1004-15
Honeyman, A L; Curtiss 3rd, R (1993) Isolation, characterization and nucleotide sequence of the Streptococcus mutans lactose-specific enzyme II (lacE) gene of the PTS and the phospho-beta-galactosidase (lacG) gene. J Gen Microbiol 139:2685-94
Lottenberg, R; Broder, C C; Boyle, M D et al. (1992) Cloning, sequence analysis, and expression in Escherichia coli of a streptococcal plasmin receptor. J Bacteriol 174:5204-10
Doggett, T A; Curtiss 3rd, R (1992) Delivery of antigens by recombinant avirulent Salmonella strains. Adv Exp Med Biol 327:165-73
Honeyman, A L; Curtiss 3rd, R (1992) Isolation, characterization, and nucleotide sequence of the Streptococcus mutans mannitol-phosphate dehydrogenase gene and the mannitol-specific factor III gene of the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system. Infect Immun 60:3369-75

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