Analysis of glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans.

Abstract

Glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans GS-5 has been analyzed by examining the regulation of expression and structure-function relationships of the glucosyltransferases. Primer extension analysis of the gtf genes has identified the putative promoter sequences for these genes and indicated that the -10 sequences are similar to the Escherichia coli consensus sequence. Site-directed mutagenesis as well as deletion analysis of the enzymes have identified amino acid residues as well as functional domains which play important roles in glucan synthesis.