Open AccessDistribution, regulation and role of the agmatine deiminase system in mutans streptococci
Author(s) -
Griswold A. R.,
Nascimento M. M.,
Burne R. A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
oral microbiology and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1399-302X
pISSN - 0902-0055
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-302x.2008.00459.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus mutans , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , streptococcus sobrinus , catabolite repression , agmatine , streptococcaceae , streptococcus , gene , streptococcus agalactiae , bacteria , genetics , enzyme , biochemistry , antibiotics , putrescine , mutant
The agmatine deiminase system (AgDS) was identified in seven strains of mutans streptococci. Genes encoding the AgDS of Streptococcus rattus FA‐1 were sequenced and found to share homology with the agu genes of Streptococcus mutans UA159. With the exception of Streptococcus sobrinus , the AgDS of mutans streptococci appear to be sensitive to carbohydrate catabolite repression. Agmatine inhibited bacterial growth, suggesting that the AgDS degrades a deleterious substance into useful compounds.