PknB is a putative transmembrane eukaryotic-type serine/threonine protein kinase (STPK) in the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans that affects biofilm formation, genetic competence and acid tolerance. PknB contains extracellular penicillin-binding and serine/threonine kinase associated (PASTA) domains predicted to bind the D-alanyl-D-alanine (D-ala-D-ala) dipeptide of unlinked peptidoglycan. D-ala-D-ala elicits responses dependent and independent of the presence of pknB. Biofilm-derived cells of a pknB-deficient mutant (PKNB) exhibited concentration-dependent growth enhancement with D-ala-D-ala, which was not a nutrient response as addition of L-alanine or D-alanine did not give the same results. A total of 77 genes were differentially expressed in PKNB, including 7 with putative functions in fatty acid biosynthesis. PKNB was more sensitive to cell wall- and membrane-targeting antibiotics compared to wild-type. Based on these results, PknB in S. mutans appears to play an important role in cell wall biosynthesis, response to membrane stress and/or regulation of cell membrane composition.

PknB is a putative transmembrane eukaryotic-type serine/threonine protein kinase (STPK) in the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans that affects biofilm formation, genetic competence and acid tolerance. PknB contains extracellular penicillin-binding and serine/threonine kinase associated (PASTA) domains predicted to bind the D-alanyl-D-alanine (D-ala-D-ala) dipeptide of unlinked peptidoglycan. D-ala-D-ala elicits responses dependent and independent of the presence of pknB. Biofilm-derived cells of a pknB-deficient mutant (PKNB) exhibited concentration-dependent growth enhancement with D-ala-D-ala, which was not a nutrient response as addition of L-alanine or D-alanine did not give the same results. A total of 77 genes were differentially expressed in PKNB, including 7 with putative functions in fatty acid biosynthesis. PKNB was more sensitive to cell wall- and membrane-targeting antibiotics compared to wild-type. Based on these results, PknB in S. mutans appears to play an important role in cell wall biosynthesis, response to membrane stress and/or regulation of cell membrane composition.

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Chromosomal toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules have been proposed to function as regulators of cell growth in response to environmental perturbations. The objective of this study was to characterize the MazEF TA system of the human pathogen Streptococcus mutans. Our data showed that the mazEF genes form a bicistronic operon. MazF toxin had a toxic effect on cells and this effect can be neutralized by coexpression of its cognate antitoxin MazE. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MazE and MazF proteins interact with each other in vivo, confirming the nature of this TA as a type II addiction system. We also demonstrated that MazF is a toxic nuclease arresting cell growth through the mechanism of RNA cleavage and that MazE inhibits the RNase activity of MazF by forming a protein complex. Our results suggest that the MazEF TA might represent a cell growth modulator facilitating the persistence of S. mutans in the oral cavity.

Chromosomal toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules have been proposed to function as regulators of cell growth in response to environmental perturbations. The objective of this study was to characterize the MazEF TA system of the human pathogen Streptococcus mutans. Our data showed that the mazEF genes form a bicistronic operon. MazF toxin had a toxic effect on cells and this effect can be neutralized by coexpression of its cognate antitoxin MazE. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MazE and MazF proteins interact with each other in vivo, confirming the nature of this TA as a type II addiction system. We also demonstrated that MazF is a toxic nuclease arresting cell growth through the mechanism of RNA cleavage and that MazE inhibits the RNase activity of MazF by forming a protein complex. Our results suggest that the MazEF TA might represent a cell growth modulator facilitating the persistence of S. mutans in the oral cavity.

Thesis (doctoral)--Göteborg University, 1994. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Göteborg University, 1994. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Robson Frederico Cunha / Coorientadora: Cristiane Duque / Coorientadora: Sandra Maria Herondina Ávila de Aguiar / Banca: Ana Cláudia Okamoto / Banca: Marcelle Danellon / Banca: Juliana Campos Junqueira / Banca: Cássia Cilene Dezan Garbelini / Resumo: O uso de agentes antimicrobianos naturais que reduzam a adesão e proliferação de S. mutans no biofilme poderia ser uma estratégia interessante para o controle da cárie dentária. No entanto, a estabilidade química e física de alguns desses agentes, como os peptídeos catiônicos antimicrobianos e fragmentos de peptídeos, pode ser comprometida por fatores externos, como temperatura e pH, reduzindo sua ação antimicrobiana. Com isso, os objetivos deste estudo foram desenvolver e caracterizar sistemas de liberação de fármaco nanoestruturados bioadesivos para a incorporação dos fragmentos peptídicos D1-23 e P1025 e avaliar seu efeito citotóxico e atividade contra biofilme de S. mutans. A primeira formulação (F1), composta de ácido oleico, polyoxypropylene-(5)-polyoxyethylene-(20)-cetyl alcohol (PPCA), Carbopol® 974P e Carbopol® 971P, foi analisada por microscopia de luz polarizada (MLP), reologia e bioadesão in vitro. A concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e concentração bactericida mínima (CBM) de D1-23 foram determinadas contra S. mutans para posterior avaliação da atividade sobre biofilme formado após 4h e 24h de tratamento. A segunda formulação (F2) foi selecionada a partir de três diferentes concentrações de ácido oleico, PPCA e Carbopol® 974P. Cada formulação foi analisada por MLP, espalhamento de raios x a baixo ângulo (SAXS), reologia e bioadesão. CIM e CBM de P1025 sobre S. mutans e seu efeito quando incorporado ou não em F2 sobre biofilme de S. mutans em formação foram anal... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The use of natural antimicrobial agents for reducing the adhesion and proliferation of S. mutans in the biofilm could be an interesting strategy for the control of dental caries. However, the chemical and physical stability of some natural antimicrobials, such as cationic antimicrobial peptides and peptide fragments, can be compromised by external factors such as temperature and pH, reducing their antimicrobial action. Thus, the objectives of this study were to develop and characterize nanostructured bioadhesive drug delivery systems for the incorporation of D1-23 and P1025 peptide fragments and to evaluate their citotoxicy and activity against S. mutans biofilm. The first formulation (F1) was composed of oleic acid, polyoxypropylene- (5) -polyoxyethylene- (20) -cetyl alcohol (PPCA), Carbopol® 974P and Carbopol® 971P and analyzed by polarized light microscopy (PLM), rheology and in vitro bioadhesion. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bacterial concentration (MBC) of D1-23 were determined against S. mutans for further evaluation of activity against S. mutans biofilm after 4h and 24h of treatment. The second formulation was selected from three different concentrations of oleic acid, PPCA and Carbopol® 974P. Each formulation was analyzed by PLM, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), rheology and bioadhesion. MIC and MBC of P1025 were determined against S. mutans. Thus, P1025 was incorporated in the best formulation (F2). The effect of P1025 incorporated or not in... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientador: Carmelinda Schmidt Unterkircher / Banca: Natalia Reiko Sato / Banca: Sandro Araujo de Almeida / Banca: Maria Filomena Rocha Lima Huhtala / Banca: Sueli Mutti Naressi / RESUMO: Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar as correlações existentes entre experiência decárie, acúmulo de placa bacteriana e nível de IgAanti - Streptococcus mutansna saliva de crianças de 8 a 12 anos de idade, com dentição mista. Foram examinadas 110 crianças, divididas em três grupos: sem experiência de cárie (SC), com lesões de cárie tratadas (CT) e com lesões de cárie não tratadas (CA), utilizando-se os índices lHOS, ceod, ceos. CPOD e CPOS. Foram também coletadas amostras desaliva não estimulada. A concentração de IgA específica foi quantificada, por ELISA para células inteiras de S. mutans. Não houve correlação significante entreo acúmulo de placa bacteriana e a concentração de IgA salivar específica. Houve correlação negativa entre o nível de IgA salivar específica e a experiência de cáriena dentição decídua das crianças com lesões de cárie não tratadas, indicando papel protetor. Houve porém, correlação positiva entre o nível de IgA e a experiência de cárie na dentição permanente das crianças com lesões de cárie tratadas. A IgAsalivar específica anti-mutans não impede o acúmulo de placa bacteriana, tendo papel protetor sobre a dentição decídua e não sobre a dentição permanente / ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between caries experience, plaque buildupandlevel ofIgAanti-Streptococcus mutansin salivaof children8-12years ofage,with mixed dentition. Withoutcaries(SC) lesions treated caries (CT) and untreated caries(CA), using the lHOSindex, ceod, ceos: 110 children, divided into three groups were examined.DMFT and DMFS.Samples were collected fromun stimulated saliva. The concentration of specific IgA was quantitated by ELISA to whole cell sof S. mutans. There was no significant correlation between the accumulation of plaque and salivary Ig Aspecific. There was a negative correlation between the level of specific salivary IgA and caries in the primary dentition of children with untreated caries lesions, indicating protective role. There was however,a positive correlation between the level of IgA and caries experiencein the permanent dentition of children with caries lesions treated. The salivary IgA specificanti-mutans does not prevent the buildup of plaque, with protective paperon the deciduous dentition and noton the permanent dentition / Doutor

Orientador: Alberto Carlos Botazzo Delbem / Coorientador: Juliano Pelim Pessan / Coorientador: Douglas Roberto Monteiro / Banca: Rogerio de Castilho Jacinto / Banca: Thiago Cruvinel da Silva / Resumo: O presente estudo teve por objetivo verificar o efeito do trimetafosfato de sódio (TMP), associado ou não ao fluoreto (F), sobre células cultiváveis, biomassa total, atividade metabólica e composição da matriz extracelular de biofilmes mistos de S. mutans e C. albicans, bem como sobre as concentrações de F, cálcio (Ca) e fósforo (P) (biofilme total e fluido do biofilme) e no pH destes biofilmes formados in vitro. Para ambos os estudos, os biofilmes foram formados em poços de placas de microtitulação, colocando uma suspenção (1x107 células/mL C. albicans + 1x108 células/mL S. mutans) em saliva artificial suplementada com sacarose (0,4%), a qual tinha metade de seu conteúdo renovada a cada 24 horas. Os biofilmes foram tratados três vezes (72, 78 e 96 horas de formação), por um minuto, com soluções contendo TMP (0,25, 0,5 ou 1%) com ou sem 500 ppm F, além de soluções contendo 500 e 1100 ppm F, adotadas como controles positivos. A saliva artificial foi utilizada como tratamento e considerada como controle negativo. Para o estudo mircrobiológico, após o terceiro tratamento foram realizados os testes de quantificação de células cultiváveis (CFU), biomassa total (teste colorimétrico de cristal violeta - CV), atividade metabólica (redução de XTT) e quantificação dos componentes da matriz extracelular (proteína, carboidrato e DNA). Todos os ensaios foram realizados em triplicata, em três ocasiões diferentes. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância a um critério, seguida ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP), associated or not to fluoride (F), on cultivable cells, total biomass, metabolic activity and composition of the extracellular matrix of mixed biofilms of S. mutans and C. albicans, as well as on the concentrations of F, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) (total biofilm and biofilm fluid) and pH of these biofilms formed in vitro. For both studies, the biofilms were formed in wells of microtiter plates by placing a suspension (1 x 107 cells/mL C. albicans + 1x108 cells/mL S. mutans) in artificial saliva supplemented with sucrose (0,4%), which had half of its content renewed every 24 hours. Biofilms were treated three times (72, 78 and 96 hours of formation), for one minute, with solutions containing TMP (0.25, 0.5 or 1%) with or without 500 ppm F, as well as solutions containing 500 and 1100 ppm F, adopted as positive controls. Artificial saliva was used as treatment and considered as the negative control. For the microbiological study, the following tests were performed: quantification of cultivable cells (CFU), total biomass (colorimetric crystal violet test - CV), metabolic activity (XTT reduction) and quantification of matrix components (protein, carbohydrate and DNA). All assays were performed in triplicate on three different occasions. The results were submitted to one-way analysis of variance, followed by the Fisher LSD‟s test (p<0.05). TMP showed a reducing effect mainly on the metabol... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre