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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Activity of Streptococcus mutans VicR Is Modulated by Antisense RNA

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Author(s):
Lei, L. [1, 2] ; Stipp, R. N. [1, 3] ; Chen, T. [1] ; Wu, S. Z. [4] ; Hu, T. [2] ; Duncan, M. J. [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Forsyth Inst, 245 First St, Cambridge, MA 02142 - USA
[2] Sichuan Univ, State Key Lab Oral Dis, Natl Clin Res Ctr Oral Dis, Dept Prevent Dent, West China Hosp Stomatol, Chengdu, Sichuan - Peoples R China
[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Oral Diag, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Campinas, SP - Brazil
[4] Sichuan Univ, West China Hosp, West China Med Sch, Chengdu, Sichuan - Peoples R China
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH; v. 97, n. 13, p. 1477-1484, DEC 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 12
Abstract

The VicRK 2-component system of Streptococcus mutans regulates genes associated with cell wall biogenesis and biofilm formation. A putative RNase III-encoding gene (rnc) is located downstream from the vicRKX operon. The goals of this study were to investigate the potential role of VicR in the regulation of adjacent downstream genes and evaluate transcription levels of vicR during planktonic and biofilm growth. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to investigate whether vicRKX and adjacent downstream genes were cotranscribed. Binding of purified recombinant VicR protein to promoter regions of vicR, rnc, and syfA genes was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and by chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses. VicR antisense (ASvicR) RNA was detected by Northern blotting and qRT-PCR assays. ASvicR overexpression mutants were constructed, and the biofilm biomass was determined by crystal violet microtiter assay. Adjacent downstream genes rnc, smc, syfA, smu.1511, and syfB were cotranscribed with vicRKX. The predicted promoter regions of vicR, rnc, and syfA genes were directly regulated by VicR. An ASvicR RNA transcript was detected upstream of the rnc gene. Expression of the ASvicR RNA transcript was elevated in planktonic cultures and repressed during biofilm growth. In addition, Western blot data showed that expression of the VicR protein decreased by 35% in planktonic as compared with biofilm cultures. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of ASvicR led to a reduction in biofilm formation. The downstream genes rnc, smc, syfA, smu.1511, and syfB are cotranscribed with vicRKX. VicR is autophosphorylated, and rnc and syfA are directly regulated by VicR. Expression of VicR protein correlated inversely with different levels of ASvicR RNA transcript and growth conditions. The biofilm biomass decreased in the ASvicR overexpression mutant. These data suggest a role for the ASvicR RNA transcript in posttranscriptional regulation of VicR protein production in S. mutans. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 17/03263-3 - Development of a low-cost and robust SYBR Green buffer system for qPCR
Grantee:Rafael Nobrega Stipp
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants