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Review
. 2023 Mar:18:225-233.
doi: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0165. Epub 2023 Apr 25.

Dlt operon regulates physiological function and cariogenic virulence in Streptococcus mutans

Jingyun Du  1 , Shan Huang  1 , Minjing Wu  1   2 , Shuai Chen  1 , Wen Zhou  1 , Ling Zhan  3 , Xiaojing Huang  1
Affiliations
Review

Dlt operon regulates physiological function and cariogenic virulence in Streptococcus mutans

Jingyun Du et al. Future Microbiol. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Streptococcus mutans is one of the major cariogenic pathogens in the oral cavity. The dlt operon is responsible for the process of D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid and is related to the virulence of S. mutans. The dlt operon contributes to the adhesion, biofilm formation, stress response, interspecies competitiveness and autolysis of S. mutans. In addition, we have summarized the possible regulatory networks of the dlt operon. This review highlights the significant role of the dlt operon in S. mutans and provides new ideas for ecological caries prevention.

Keywords: D-alanylation; Streptococcus mutans; biofilm; dental caries; dlt operon.

Plain language summary

What is this summary about? Dental caries is a common oral disease that destroys teeth. Streptococcus mutans is the major pathogen of dental caries and its cariogenic virulence factors depend on the ability of biofilm formation, acid production and tolerance, stress response, and interspecific competitiveness. The dlt operon is responsible for the process of D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid and is related to the virulence of Gram-positive bacteria. To understand the role of the dlt operon in S. mutans, this review summarized this based on previous studies. What were the results? The dlt operon can regulate the D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid to affect the cell surface charge of S. mutans. The change in characteristics of the cell wall will affect the physiological functions of S. mutans, such as adhesion, biofilm formation, stress response, autolysis and interspecies competitiveness. However, the regulatory mechanism of the dlt operon is still unclear and needs further study. What do the results of the study mean? This review highlights the significant role of the dlt operon in S. mutans, which will increase the understanding of the cariogenic mechanism of S. mutans and provide new ideas for ecological caries prevention, such as the development of antibacterial agents targeting the dlt operon.

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