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A novel phosphotransferase system of S treptococcus mutans is responsible for transport of carbohydrates with α‐1,3 linkage
Author(s) -
Ajdic D.,
Chen Z.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
molecular oral microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 2041-1014
pISSN - 2041-1006
DOI - 10.1111/omi.12009
Subject(s) - pep group translocation , glucosyltransferase , streptococcus mutans , phosphotransferase , chemistry , biochemistry , phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase , biofilm , sucrose , sugar , carbohydrate metabolism , glycosyltransferase , disaccharide , carbohydrate , extracellular , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , bacteria , gene , genetics
Summary The most common type of carbohydrate‐transport system in S treptococcus mutans is the phosphoenolpyruvate–sugar phosphotransferase system ( PTS ). Fourteen PTS exist in S . mutans UA 159. Several studies have shown that microorganisms growing in biofilms express different genes compared with their planktonic counterparts. In this study, we showed that one PTS of S . mutans was expressed in sucrose‐grown biofilms. Furthermore, the same PTS was also responsible for the transport and metabolism of disaccharide nigerose (3‐ O ‐α‐ d ‐glucopyranosyl‐ d ‐glucose). Additionally, the results indicate that the studied PTS might be involved in the transport and metabolism of carbohydrates synthesized by glucosyltransferase B and glucosyltransferase C of S . mutans . To our knowledge, this is the first report that shows PTS transport of a disaccharide (and possibly extracellular oligosaccharides) with α‐1,3 linkage.