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Mann AE, Chakraborty B, O'Connell LM, Nascimento MM, Burne RA, Richards VP. Heterogeneous lineage-specific arginine deiminase expression within dental microbiome species. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0144523. [PMID: 38411054 PMCID: PMC10986539 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01445-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Arginine catabolism by the bacterial arginine deiminase system (ADS) has anticariogenic properties through the production of ammonia, which modulates the pH of the oral environment. Given the potential protective capacity of the ADS pathway, the exploitation of ADS-competent oral microbes through pre- or probiotic applications is a promising therapeutic target to prevent tooth decay. To date, most investigations of the ADS in the oral cavity and its relation to caries have focused on indirect measures of activity or on specific bacterial groups, yet the pervasiveness and rate of expression of the ADS operon in diverse mixed microbial communities in oral health and disease remain an open question. Here, we use a multivariate approach, combining ultra-deep metatranscriptomic sequencing with paired metataxonomic and in vitro citrulline quantification to characterize the microbial community and ADS operon expression in healthy and late-stage cavitated teeth. While ADS activity is higher in healthy teeth, we identify multiple bacterial lineages with upregulated ADS activity on cavitated teeth that are distinct from those found on healthy teeth using both reference-based mapping and de novo assembly methods. Our dual metataxonomic and metatranscriptomic approach demonstrates the importance of species abundance for gene expression data interpretation and that patterns of differential expression can be skewed by low-abundance groups. Finally, we identify several potential candidate probiotic bacterial lineages within species that may be useful therapeutic targets for the prevention of tooth decay and propose that the development of a strain-specific, mixed-microbial probiotic may be a beneficial approach given the heterogeneity of taxa identified here across health groups. IMPORTANCE Tooth decay is the most common preventable chronic disease, affecting more than two billion people globally. The development of caries on teeth is primarily a consequence of acid production by cariogenic bacteria that inhabit the plaque microbiome. Other bacterial strains in the oral cavity may suppress or prevent tooth decay by producing ammonia as a byproduct of the arginine deiminase metabolic pathway, increasing the pH of the plaque biofilm. While the benefits of arginine metabolism on oral health have been extensively documented in specific bacterial groups, the prevalence and consistency of arginine deiminase system (ADS) activity among oral bacteria in a community context remain an open question. In the current study, we use a multi-omics approach to document the pervasiveness of the expression of the ADS operon in both health and disease to better understand the conditions in which ADS activity may prevent tooth decay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison E. Mann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Brinta Chakraborty
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Lauren M. O'Connell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Marcelle M. Nascimento
- Division of Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Robert A. Burne
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Vincent P. Richards
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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Zhang Q, Shan B, Xu X, Mao B, Tang X, Zhao J, Zhang H, Cui S, Chen W. Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum CCFM8724 Reduces the Amounts of Oral Pathogens and Alters the Oral Microbiota in Children With Dental Caries: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN NUTRITION ASSOCIATION 2023; 42:361-370. [PMID: 35512770 DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2022.2043200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective Early childhood caries (ECC) is closely related to the disorders of oral microbiota. Probiotics antagonize pathogenic bacteria and regulate the composition of the microbiota. We aimed to investigate the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CCFM8724 on Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and oral microbiota of patients.Methods Children with ECC aged 3‒6 years were randomly divided into probiotic and placebo groups in the double-blind controlled trial. The intervention and washout periods were 28 days and 14 days, respectively. On days 1 and 28, dental plaques were collected. The effects of L. plantarum CCFM8724 on the oral microbiota of patients were investigated by sequencing the V3-V4 region of 16S rDNA. On days 1, 14, 28 and 42, qPCR was used to investigate the effect of L. plantarum CCFM8724 on the amounts of S. mutans and C. albicans in the saliva of children with ECC.Results L. plantarum CCFM8724 significantly reduced the amounts of S. mutans and C. albicans in saliva of children with ECC (p < 0.01). After consumption of L. plantarum CCFM8724, the abundance of Firmicutes, Granulicatella and Gemella increased, whereas the abundance of Proteobacteria, Neisseria, Bifidobacterium and Catonella decreased. Conclusion: Our results emphasize that probiotics could play a beneficial role in the prevention and treatment of ECC in children from an oral microecological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Baokun Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xianyin Xu
- Department of Stomatology, Wuxi Children's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Bingyong Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Wuxi Translational Medicine Research Center, Jiangsu Translational Medicine Research Institute Wuxi Branch, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Shumao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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Evaluation of the ability of adhesives with antibacterial and remineralization functions to prevent secondary caries in vivo. Clin Oral Investig 2022; 26:3637-3650. [DOI: 10.1007/s00784-021-04334-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Marx P, Sang Y, Qin H, Wang Q, Guo R, Pfeifer C, Kreth J, Merritt J. Environmental stress perception activates structural remodeling of extant Streptococcus mutans biofilms. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2020; 6:17. [PMID: 32221309 PMCID: PMC7101444 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-020-0128-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription regulators from the LexA-like Protein Superfamily control a highly diverse assortment of genetic pathways in response to environmental stress. All characterized members of this family modulate their functionality and stability via a strict coordination with the coprotease function of RecA. Using the LexA-like protein IrvR from Streptococcus mutans, we demonstrate an exception to the RecA paradigm and illustrate how this evolutionary innovation has been coopted to diversify the stress responsiveness of S. mutans biofilms. Using a combination of genetics and biophysical measurements, we demonstrate how non-SOS stresses and SOS stresses each trigger separate regulatory mechanisms that stimulate production of a surface lectin responsible for remodeling the viscoelastic properties of extant biofilms during episodes of environmental stress. These studies demonstrate how changes in the external environment or even anti-biofilm therapeutic agents can activate biofilm-specific adaptive mechanisms responsible for bolstering the integrity of established biofilm communities. Such changes in biofilm community structure are likely to play central roles in the notorious recalcitrance of biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Marx
- 0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Yu Sang
- 0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Hua Qin
- 0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Qingjing Wang
- 0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Rongkai Guo
- 0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Carmem Pfeifer
- 0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Jens Kreth
- 0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA ,0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Justin Merritt
- 0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA ,0000 0000 9758 5690grid.5288.7Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
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Du Q, Fu M, Zhou Y, Cao Y, Guo T, Zhou Z, Li M, Peng X, Zheng X, Li Y, Xu X, He J, Zhou X. Sucrose promotes caries progression by disrupting the microecological balance in oral biofilms: an in vitro study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2961. [PMID: 32076013 PMCID: PMC7031525 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59733-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sucrose has long been regarded as the most cariogenic carbohydrate. However, why sucrose causes severer dental caries than other sugars is largely unknown. Considering that caries is a polymicrobial infection resulting from dysbiosis of oral biofilms, we hypothesized that sucrose can introduce a microbiota imbalance favoring caries to a greater degree than other sugars. To test this hypothesis, an in vitro saliva-derived multispecies biofilm model was established, and by comparing caries lesions on enamel blocks cocultured with biofilms treated with sucrose, glucose and lactose, we confirmed that this model can reproduce the in vivo finding that sucrose has the strongest cariogenic potential. In parallel, compared to a control treatment, sucrose treatment led to significant changes within the microbial structure and assembly of oral microflora, while no significant difference was detected between the lactose/glucose treatment group and the control. Specifically, sucrose supplementation disrupted the homeostasis between acid-producing and alkali-producing bacteria. Consistent with microbial dysbiosis, we observed the most significant disequilibrium between acid and alkali metabolism in sucrose-treated biofilms. Taken together, our data indicate that the cariogenicity of sugars is closely related to their ability to regulate the oral microecology. These findings advance our understanding of caries etiology from an ecological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Du
- The state key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Min Fu
- University of Chinese Academy Sciences-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- The state key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yangpei Cao
- The Department of Endodontics and the Division of Constitutive & Regenerative Sciences, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Tingwei Guo
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Zhou Zhou
- Clinical Skills Training Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingyun Li
- The state key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xian Peng
- The state key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- The state key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Li
- The state key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Xu
- The state key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinzhi He
- The state key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- The state key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Bartholomae M, Buivydas A, Viel JH, Montalbán-López M, Kuipers OP. Major gene-regulatory mechanisms operating in ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) biosynthesis. Mol Microbiol 2017; 106:186-206. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maike Bartholomae
- Department of Molecular Genetics; University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7; 9747AG Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Andrius Buivydas
- Department of Molecular Genetics; University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7; 9747AG Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Jakob H. Viel
- Department of Molecular Genetics; University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7; 9747AG Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Manuel Montalbán-López
- Department of Microbiology; University of Granada, C. Fuentenueva s/n; 18071 Granada Spain
| | - Oscar P. Kuipers
- Department of Molecular Genetics; University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7; 9747AG Groningen The Netherlands
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Liu N, Niu G, Xie Z, Chen Z, Itzek A, Kreth J, Gillaspy A, Zeng L, Burne R, Qi F, Merritt J. The Streptococcus mutans irvA gene encodes a trans-acting riboregulatory mRNA. Mol Cell 2015; 57:179-90. [PMID: 25574948 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, insight into gene function is typically obtained by in silico homology searches and/or phenotypic analyses of strains bearing mutations within open reading frames. However, the studies herein illustrate how mRNA function is not limited to the expression of a cognate protein. We demonstrate that a stress-induced protein-encoding mRNA (irvA) from the dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans directly modulates target mRNA (gbpC) stability through seed pairing interactions. The 5' untranslated region of irvA mRNA is a trans riboregulator of gbpC and a critical activator of the DDAG stress response, whereas IrvA functions independently in the regulation of natural competence. The irvA riboregulatory domain controls GbpC production by forming irvA-gbpC hybrid mRNA duplexes that prevent gbpC degradation by an RNase J2-mediated pathway. These studies implicate a potentially ubiquitous role for typical protein-encoding mRNAs as riboregulators, which could alter current concepts in gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 71304, USA
| | - Guoqing Niu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 71304, USA
| | - Zhoujie Xie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 71304, USA
| | - Zhiyun Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 71304, USA
| | - Andreas Itzek
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 71304, USA
| | - Jens Kreth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 71304, USA; Division of Oral Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Allison Gillaspy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 71304, USA
| | - Lin Zeng
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Robert Burne
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Fengxia Qi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 71304, USA; Division of Oral Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Justin Merritt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 71304, USA; Division of Oral Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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8
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Cheng X, Xu X, Chen J, Zhou X, Cheng L, Li M, Li J, Wang R, Jia W, Li YQ. Effects of simulated microgravity on Streptococcus mutans physiology and biofilm structure. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2014; 359:94-101. [PMID: 25109245 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6968.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term spaceflights will eventually become an inevitable occurrence. Previous studies have indicated that oral infectious diseases, including dental caries, were more prevalent in astronauts due to the effect of microgravity. However, the impact of the space environment, especially the microgravity environment, on the virulence factors of Streptococcus mutans, a major caries-associated bacterium, is yet to be explored. In the present study, we investigated the impact of simulated microgravity on the physiology and biofilm structure of S. mutans. We also explored the dual-species interaction between S. mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis under a simulated microgravity condition. Results indicated that the simulated microgravity condition can enhance the acid tolerance ability, modify the biofilm architecture and extracellular polysaccharide distribution of S. mutans, and increase the proportion of S. mutans within a dual-species biofilm, probably through the regulation of various gene expressions. We hypothesize that the enhanced competitiveness of S. mutans under simulated microgravity may cause a multispecies micro-ecological imbalance, which would result in the initiation of dental caries. Our current findings are consistent with previous studies, which revealed a higher astronaut-associated incidence of caries. Further research is required to explore the detailed mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingqun Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Krzyściak W, Jurczak A, Kościelniak D, Bystrowska B, Skalniak A. The virulence of Streptococcus mutans and the ability to form biofilms. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2014; 33:499-515. [PMID: 24154653 PMCID: PMC3953549 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-013-1993-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 352] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In some diseases, a very important role is played by the ability of bacteria to form multi-dimensional complex structure known as biofilm. The most common disease of the oral cavity, known as dental caries, is a top leader. Streptococcus mutans, one of the many etiological factors of dental caries, is a microorganism which is able to acquire new properties allowing for the expression of pathogenicity determinants determining its virulence in specific environmental conditions. Through the mechanism of adhesion to a solid surface, S. mutans is capable of colonizing the oral cavity and also of forming bacterial biofilm. Additional properties enabling S. mutans to colonize the oral cavity include the ability to survive in an acidic environment and specific interaction with other microorganisms colonizing this ecosystem. This review is an attempt to establish which characteristics associated with biofilm formation--virulence determinants of S. mutans--are responsible for the development of dental caries. In order to extend the knowledge of the nature of Streptococcus infections, an attempt to face the following problems will be made: Biofilm formation as a complex process of protein-bacterium interaction. To what extent do microorganisms of the cariogenic flora exemplified by S. mutans differ in virulence determinants "expression" from microorganisms of physiological flora? How does the environment of the oral cavity and its microorganisms affect the biofilm formation of dominant species? How do selected inhibitors affect the biofilm formation of cariogenic microorganisms?
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Affiliation(s)
- W Krzyściak
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, UJCM 9 Medyczna St., 30-688, Krakow, Poland,
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Guo L, Wu T, Hu W, He X, Sharma S, Webster P, Gimzewski JK, Zhou X, Lux R, Shi W. Phenotypic characterization of the foldase homologue PrsA in Streptococcus mutans. Mol Oral Microbiol 2013; 28:154-65. [PMID: 23241367 PMCID: PMC3819222 DOI: 10.1111/omi.12014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans is generally considered to be the principal etiological agent for dental caries. Many of the proteins necessary for its colonization of the oral cavity and pathogenesis are exported to the cell surface or the extracellular matrix, a process that requires the assistance of the export machineries. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the S. mutans genome contains a prsA gene, whose counterparts in other gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus and Lactococcus, encode functions involved in protein post-export. In this study, we constructed a PrsA-deficient derivative of S. mutans and demonstrated that the prsA mutant displayed an altered cell wall/membrane protein profile as well as cell-surface-related phenotypes, including auto-aggregation, increased surface hydrophobicity and abnormal biofilm formation. Further analysis revealed that the disruption of the prsA gene resulted in reduced insoluble glucan production by cell surface localized glucosyltransferases, and mutacin as well as cell surface-display of a heterologous expressed GFP fusion to the cell surface protein SpaP. Our study suggested that PrsA in S. mutans encodes functions similar to those identified in Bacillus, and so is likely to be involved in protein post-export.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Guo
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, U.S.A
| | - Tingxi Wu
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, U.S.A
- West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Hu
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, U.S.A
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, College of Life Science, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Xuesong He
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, U.S.A
| | - Shivani Sharma
- California Nano Systems Institute and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, U.S.A
| | - Paul Webster
- Ahmanson Advanced Electron Microscopy and Imaging Centre, House Research Institute, 2100 W 3 St, Los Angeles, CA 90057, U.S.A
| | - James K Gimzewski
- California Nano Systems Institute and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, U.S.A
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Renate Lux
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, U.S.A
| | - Wenyuan Shi
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, U.S.A
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11
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Regulation of bacteriocin production and cell death by the VicRK signaling system in Streptococcus mutans. J Bacteriol 2012; 194:1307-16. [PMID: 22228735 DOI: 10.1128/jb.06071-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The VicRK two-component signaling system modulates biofilm formation, genetic competence, and stress tolerance in Streptococcus mutans. We show here that the VicRK modulates bacteriocin production and cell viability, in part by direct modulation of competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) production in S. mutans. Global transcriptome and real-time transcriptional analysis of the VicK-deficient mutant (SmuvicK) revealed significant modulation of several bacteriocin-related loci, including nlmAB, nlmC, and nlmD (P < 0.001), suggesting a role for the VicRK in producing mutacins IV, V, and VI. Bacteriocin overlay assays revealed an altered ability of the vic mutants to kill related species. Since a well-conserved VicR binding site (TGTWAH-N(5)-TGTWAH) was identified within the comC coding region, we confirmed VicR binding to this sequence using DNA footprinting. Overexpression of the vic operon caused growth-phase-dependent repression of comC, comDE, and comX. In the vic mutants, transcription of nlmC/cipB encoding mutacin V, previously linked to CSP-dependent cell lysis, as well as expression of its putative immunity factor encoded by immB, were significantly affected relative to the wild type (P < 0.05). In contrast to previous reports that proposed a hyper-resistant phenotype for the VicK mutant in cell viability, the release of extracellular genomic DNA was significantly enhanced in SmuvicK (P < 0.05), likely as a result of increased autolysis compared with the parent. The drastic influence of VicRK on cell viability was also demonstrated using vic mutant biofilms. Taken together, we have identified a novel regulatory link between the VicRK and ComDE systems to modulate bacteriocin production and cell viability of S. mutans.
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12
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Smith EG, Spatafora GA. Gene regulation in S. mutans: complex control in a complex environment. J Dent Res 2011; 91:133-41. [PMID: 21743034 DOI: 10.1177/0022034511415415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dental caries is a chronic infectious disease of multifactorial etiology that derives from the interplay among cariogenic bacteria on the dentition, the host diet, and other environmental exposures. Streptococcus mutans proliferates as a biofilm on the tooth surface, where it obtains nutrients and metabolizes fermentable dietary carbohydrates. The accumulation of lactic acid as a by-product of fermentation results in acidification of the plaque biofilm and demineralization of tooth enamel, marking the onset of decay. The ability of S. mutans to respond to environmental stresses presented by salivary flow, acid pH, oxidative stress, and changes in carbohydrate source and availability is essential for its survival and predominance in caries lesions. Importantly, S. mutans has evolved a network of regulators to integrate its cellular response to environmental change. Herein we describe the latest insights into global gene regulation in S. mutans, including mechanisms of signal transduction, carbon catabolite repression, and quorum-sensing. An improved understanding of these regulatory networks can provide a basis for novel therapeutic applications aimed at treating and/or preventing caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G Smith
- Middlebury College, Department of Biology, 276 Bicentennial Way, MBH354, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
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The Streptococcus mutans IrvR repressor is a CI-like regulator that functions through autocleavage and Clp-dependent proteolysis. J Bacteriol 2009; 192:1586-95. [PMID: 20038591 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01261-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous work has shown that irvR is required for the proper regulation of genetic competence and dextran-dependent aggregation due to its ability to repress the transcription regulator irvA. In this study, we determined the mechanism used to relieve the repression of irvA. We demonstrate that IrvR is a "LexA-like" protein with four conserved amino acid residues likely required for IrvR autocleavage activity. Furthermore, recombinant IrvR protein purified from Escherichia coli was competent to undergo autocleavage in vitro. Using several truncated IrvR constructs, we show that the amino acids adjacent to the autocleavage site are essential for relieving irvA repression and engaging the irvA-dependent regulatory pathway primarily through the ClpXP and ClpCP proteases. By extending the IrvR C terminus with an epitope derived from the autocleavage site, we were also able to create a constitutive Clp-dependent degradation of the full-length IrvR protein. This suggests that the derepression of irvA occurs through a two-step mechanism involving the initial autocleavage of IrvR and exposure of a proteolytic degradation sequence followed by Clp-dependent degradation of the IrvR DNA binding domain. Thus, irvA derepression is highly analogous to the genetic switch mechanism used to regulate lysogeny in bacteriophages.
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Role of the Streptococcus mutans irvA gene in GbpC-independent, dextran-dependent aggregation and biofilm formation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:7037-43. [PMID: 19783751 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01015-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dextran-dependent aggregation (DDAG) of Streptococcus mutans is an in vitro phenomenon that is believed to represent a property of the organism that is beneficial for sucrose-dependent biofilm development. GbpC, a cell surface glucan-binding protein, is responsible for DDAG in S. mutans when cultured under defined stressful conditions. Recent reports have described a putative transcriptional regulator gene, irvA, located just upstream of gbpC, that is normally repressed by the product of an adjacent gene, irvR. When repression of irvA is relieved, there is a resulting increase in the expression of GbpC and decreases in competence and synthesis of the antibiotic mutacin I. This study examined the role of irvA in DDAG and biofilm formation by engineering strains that overexpressed irvA (IrvA+) on an extrachromosomal plasmid. The IrvA+ strain displayed large aggregation particles that did not require stressful growth conditions. A novel finding was that overexpression of irvA in a gbpC mutant background retained a measure of DDAG, albeit very small aggregation particles. Biofilms formed by the IrvA+ strain in the parental background possessed larger-than-normal microcolonies. In a gbpC mutant background, the overexpression of irvA reversed the fragile biofilm phenotype normally associated with loss of GbpC. Real-time PCR and Northern blot analyses found that expression of gbpC did not change significantly in the IrvA+ strain but expression of spaP, encoding the major surface adhesin P1, increased significantly. Inactivation of spaP eliminated the small-particle DDAG. The results suggest that IrvA promotes DDAG not only by GbpC, but also via an increase in P1.
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Nguyen T, Zhang Z, Huang IH, Wu C, Merritt J, Shi W, Qi F. Genes involved in the repression of mutacin I production in Streptococcus mutans. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2009; 155:551-556. [PMID: 19202103 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.021303-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans is considered a primary pathogen for human dental caries. Its ability to produce a variety of peptide antibiotics called mutacins may play an important role in its invasion and establishment in the dental biofilm. S. mutans strain UA140 produces two types of mutacins, the lantibiotic mutacin I and the non-lantibiotic mutacin IV. In a previous study, we constructed a random insertional-mutation library to screen for genes involved in regulating mutacin I production, and found 25 genes/operons that have a positive effect on mutacin I production. In this study, we continued our previous work to identify genes that are negatively involved in mutacin I production. By using a high-phosphate brain heart infusion agar medium that inhibited mutacin I production of the wild-type, we isolated 77 clones that consistently produced mutacin I under repressive conditions. From the 34 clones for which we were able to obtain a sequence, 17 unique genes were identified. These genes encompass a variety of functional groups, including central metabolism, surface binding and sugar transport, and unknown functions. Some of the 17 mutations were further characterized and shown to increase mutacin gene expression during growth when the gene is usually not expressed in the wild-type. These results further demonstrate an intimate and intricate connection between mutacin production and the overall cellular homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Nguyen
- UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73034, USA
| | - I-Hsiu Huang
- College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73034, USA
| | - Chenggang Wu
- College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73034, USA
| | - Justin Merritt
- College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73034, USA
| | - Wenyuan Shi
- UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Fengxia Qi
- College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73034, USA
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Characterization of irvR, a novel regulator of the irvA-dependent pathway required for genetic competence and dextran-dependent aggregation in Streptococcus mutans. J Bacteriol 2008; 190:7268-74. [PMID: 18757533 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00967-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies identified irvA as a normally repressed but highly inducible transcription regulator capable of repressing mutacin I gene expression in Streptococcus mutans. In this study, we aimed to identify and characterize the regulator(s) responsible for repressing the expression of irvA. An uncharacterized open reading frame (SMU.1398) located immediately adjacent to irvA and annotated as a putative transcription repressor was identified as a likely candidate. The results of mutation studies confirmed that the expression of irvA was greatly increased in the SMU.1398 background. Mutation of SMU.1398 ("irvR") abolished genetic competence and reduced the expression of the late competence genes/operons comEA, comY, and dprA without affecting the expression of the known competence regulators comC, comED, or comX. In addition, irvR was found to be a potent negative regulator of dextran-dependent aggregation (DDAG) and gbpC expression. Each of these irvR mutant phenotypes could be rescued with a double mutation of irvA or complemented by introducing a wild-type copy of irvR on a shuttle vector. These data indicate that the repression of irvA is critically dependent upon irvR and that irvA repression is essential for the development of genetic competence and the proper control of DDAG in S. mutans.
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Abstract
The current need for antibiotics with novel target molecules has coincided with advances in technical approaches for the structural and functional analysis of the lantibiotics, which are ribosomally synthesized peptides produced by gram-positive bacteria. These peptides have antibiotic or morphogenetic activity and are structurally defined by the presence of unusual amino acids introduced by posttranslational modification. Lantibiotics are complex polycyclic molecules formed by the dehydration of select Ser and Thr residues and the intramolecular addition of Cys thiols to the resulting unsaturated amino acids to form lanthionine and methyllanthionine bridges, respectively. Importantly, the structural and functional diversity of the lantibiotics is much broader than previously imagined. Here we discuss this growing collection of molecules and introduce some recently discovered peptides, review advances in enzymology and protein engineering, and discuss the regulatory networks that govern the synthesis of the lantibiotics by the producing organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M Willey
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11549, USA.
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Kreth J, Hung DCI, Merritt J, Perry J, Zhu L, Goodman SD, Cvitkovitch DG, Shi W, Qi F. The response regulator ComE in Streptococcus mutans functions both as a transcription activator of mutacin production and repressor of CSP biosynthesis. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2007; 153:1799-1807. [PMID: 17526837 PMCID: PMC2062498 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.2007/005975-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In Streptococcus pneumoniae, competence and bacteriocin genes are controlled by two two-component systems, ComED and BlpRH, respectively. In Streptococcus mutans, both functions are controlled by the ComED system. Recent studies in S. mutans revealed a potential ComE binding site characterized by two 11 bp direct repeats shared by each of the bacteriocin genes responsive to the competence-stimulating peptide (CSP). Interestingly, this sequence was not found in the upstream region of the CSP structural gene comC. Since comC is suggested to be part of a CSP-responsive and ComE-dependent autoregulatory loop, it was of interest to determine how it was possible that the ComED system could simultaneously regulate bacteriocin expression and natural competence. Using the intergenic region IGS1499, shared by the CSP-responsive bacteriocin nlmC and comC, it was demonstrated that both genes are likely to be regulated by a bifunctional ComE. In a comE null mutant, comC gene expression was increased similarly to a fully induced wild-type. In contrast, nlmC gene expression was nearly abolished. Deletion of ComD exerted a similar effect on both genes to that observed with the comE null mutation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) with purified ComE revealed specific shift patterns dependent on the presence of one or both direct repeats in the nlmC-comC promoter region. The two direct repeats were also required for the promoter activity of both nlmC and comC. These results suggest that gene regulation of comC in S. mutans is fundamentally different from that reported for S. pneumoniae, which implicates a unique regulatory mechanism that allows the coordination of bacteriocin production with competence development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kreth
- UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - David C. I. Hung
- Division of Diagnostic Science, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Julie Perry
- Dental Research Institute, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lin Zhu
- UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Steven D. Goodman
- Division of Diagnostic Science, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Wenyuan Shi
- UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Fengxia Qi
- UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Autoinducer-2-regulated genes in Streptococcus mutans UA159 and global metabolic effect of the luxS mutation. J Bacteriol 2007; 190:401-15. [PMID: 17981981 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01086-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoinducer 2 (AI-2) is the only species-nonspecific autoinducer known in bacteria and is produced by both gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. Consequently, it is proposed to function as a universal quorum-sensing signal for interaction between bacterial species. AI-2 is produced as the by-product of a metabolic transformation carried out by the LuxS enzyme. To separate the metabolic function of the LuxS enzyme from the signaling role of AI-2, we carried out a global transcriptome analysis of a luxS null mutant culture of Streptococcus mutans UA159, an important cariogenic bacterium and a crucial component of the dental plaque biofilm community, in comparison to a luxS null mutant culture supplemented with chemically pure 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione, the precursor of AI-2. The data revealed fundamental changes in gene expression affecting 585 genes (30% of the genome) which could not be restored by the signal molecule AI-2 and are therefore not caused by quorum sensing but by lack of the transformation carried out by the LuxS enzyme in the activated methyl cycle. All functional classes of enzymes were affected, including genes known to be important for biofilm formation, bacteriocin synthesis, competence, and acid tolerance. At the same time, 59 genes were identified whose transcription clearly responded to the addition of AI-2. Some of them were related to protein synthesis, stress, and cell division. Three membrane transport proteins were upregulated which are not related to any of the known AI-2 transporters. Three transcription factors were identified whose transcription was stimulated repeatedly by AI-2 addition during growth. Finally, a global regulatory protein, the delta subunit of the RNA polymerase (rpoE), was induced 147-fold by AI-2, representing the largest differential gene expression observed. The data show that many phenotypes related to the luxS mutation cannot be ascribed to quorum sensing and have identified for the first time regulatory proteins potentially mediating AI-2-based signaling in gram-positive bacteria.
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Kreth J, Merritt J, Zhu L, Shi W, Qi F. Cell density- and ComE-dependent expression of a group of mutacin and mutacin-like genes in Streptococcus mutans. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2006; 265:11-7. [PMID: 16981904 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00459.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans is a major cariogenic inhabitant of the high cell density oral biofilm (dental plaque). In previous studies, we showed that production of one of its virulence factors, the bacteriocin mutacin IV, was regulated by high cell density as well as the competence regulatory system ComED. In this study, we utilized luciferase fusions and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), to demonstrate that high cell density and ComED also regulate an uncharacterized group of mutacin and mutacin-like genes. Under high cell density or in the presence of externally added competence-stimulating peptide (CSP), gene expression increased 10- to 30-fold. Interestingly, high cell density was able to bypass the requirement for CSP addition. However, both cell density and CSP-dependent gene expression had a strict requirement for the ComE response regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kreth
- Department of Oral Biology and Medicine, UCLA School of Dentistry, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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