< b > < i > Streptococcus salivarius < /i > < /b > Isolates of Varying Acid Tolerance Exhibit F < sub > 1 < /sub > F < sub > 0 < /sub > -ATPase Conservation

Genes encoding the subunits of the membrane-bound F1F0-ATPase (responsible for exporting protons from the cytoplasm and contributing to acid tolerance) were sequenced for 24 non-mutans streptococci isolated from carious lesions. Isolates, mostlyStreptococcus salivarius, displayed a continuum of acid tolerance thresholds ranging from pH 4.55 to 3.39, but amino acid alignments of F1F0-ATPase subunits revealed few non-synonymous substitutions and these were unrelated to acid tolerance. Thus, the F1F0-ATPase is highly-conserved amongS. salivarius isolates despite varying acid tolerance thresholds, supporting the contention that acid tolerance is determined by the level of gene/protein expression rather than variation in molecular structure.Caries Res

Source: Caries Research - June 7, 2021 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research