Open AccessGenetic variation in comC , the gene encoding competence‐stimulating peptide (CSP) in Streptococcus mutans
Author(s) -
Allan Elaine,
Hussain Haitham A.,
Crawford Kevin R.,
Miah Shahjahan,
Ascott Zoë K.,
Khwaja Mahrukh H.,
Hosie Arthur H.F.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00593.x
Subject(s) - gene , biology , streptococcus mutans , streptococcus pneumoniae , genetics , genotype , allele , genetic variation , bacteria
The genetic variability in comC , the gene encoding the quorum‐sensing molecule, competence‐stimulating peptide (CSP) in Streptococcus mutans is reported. Seven comC alleles encoding three distinct mature CSPs were identified among 36 geographically diverse strains, although, compared with Streptococcus pneumoniae , the amount of predicted amino acid sequence variation is low. In agreement with other studies, significant variation was found in the natural competence for DNA uptake in these strains. However, there was no correlation between the CSP genotype and the ability to transform these strains. Representative strains encoding each of the CSP variants became competent in response to synthetic CSPs of each type. Therefore, in contrast to S. pneumoniae , comC alleles in S. mutans are functionally equivalent and there is no evidence of pherotype specificity.