Abstract
Background/aim: Recombinase A (RecA) is essential for the transformation of both plasmid and chromosomal DNA in Streptococcus pneumoniae and is considered to be related to the SOS-response in Streptococcus mutans. Methods: In the present study, a RecA-deficient mutant strain (RAD) was constructed by insertional inactivation of the recA gene encoding the RecA protein in strain MT8148 of S. mutans, after which the biological functions of acid tolerance and biofilm formation were investigated. Results: RAD showed reduced acid tolerance and produced lower density biofilm compared with the wild-type strain. In addition, confocal microscopic observation indicated that the biofilm produced by RAD was composed of cells with significantly lower viability compared with that produced by strain MT8148. Conclusion: These results suggest that RecA has a relationship with biofilm formation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 104-108 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Oral microbiology and immunology |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 1 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biofilm formation
- Recombinase A
- Streptococcus mutans
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Dentistry(all)
- Microbiology (medical)