Structural and Molecular Basis of the Role of Starch and Sucrose in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> Biofilm Development

Abstract

The interaction of sucrose and starch with bacterial glucosyltransferases and human salivary amylase may enhance the pathogenic potential of Streptococcus mutans within biofilms by influencing the structural organization of the extracellular matrix and modulating the expression of genes involved in exopolysaccharide synthesis and specific sugar transport and two-component systems.