Open AccessInhibitory Effects of Low-Energy Pulsed Ultrasonic Stimulation on Cell Surface Protein Antigen C through Heat Shock Proteins GroEL and DnaK in Streptococcus mutans
Author(s) -
Kazuya Ishibashi,
Koji Shimada,
Takayuki Kawato,
Shigejyu Kaji,
Masao Maeno,
Shuichi Sato,
Koichi Ito
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
applied and environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 324
eISSN - 1070-6291
pISSN - 0099-2240
DOI - 10.1128/aem.02230-09
Subject(s) - groel , streptococcus mutans , heat shock protein , microbiology and biotechnology , stimulation , adhesion , hsp70 , heat shock , chemistry , biology , biophysics , biochemistry , escherichia coli , bacteria , gene , organic chemistry , neuroscience , genetics
This study concerns the use of low-energy pulsed ultrasound as nondestructive photodynamic antimicrobial therapy for controlling dental plaque. We examined the antibacterial and bactericidal effects of low-energy pulsed ultrasound on mutans streptococci and its inhibitory effects on bacterial cell adhesion ofStreptococcus mutans . The results indicated weak antibacterial and bactericidal effects. However, ultrasonic stimulation for less than 20 min markedly decreased bacterial cell adhesion. To analyze the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect, we examined cell surface protein antigen C (PAc) and glucosyltransferase I (GTF-I) expression inS. mutans . The levels of PAc gene and protein expression were markedly decreased by ultrasonic stimulation for 20 min. However, no change in GTF-I expression was observed. The expression of stress response heat shock proteins GroEL and DnaK was also examined. GroEL and DnaK levels were significantly decreased by ultrasonic stimulation, and the expression of the PAc protein was also diminished upon the addition of GroEL or DnaK inhibitors without ultrasonic stimulation. These observations suggest that the expression of the PAc protein inS. mutans may be dependent on heat shock proteins. Thus, low-energy pulsed ultrasound decreases bacterial adhesion by the inhibitory effect on the PAc protein and heat shock protein expression and may be useful as photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy in controlling dental plaque.