Development of substrate with recombinase A to prevent dental caries

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670874
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Orthodontics/Pediatric dentistry
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: NAKANO MICHIYO 岡山大学, 医歯(薬)学総合研究科, 教授 (30359848)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 齲蝕 / バイオフィルム / リコンビナーゼ / グルコシルトランスフェラーゼ / Streptococcus mutans

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Streptococcus mutans produces glucosyltransferases (GTFs), with recombinase A (RecA) is required for homologous recombination. Previously, we isolated several S. mutans strains with a smooth colony morphology, which also demonstrated characteristics thought to be derived from GTFBC fusion. As for their biological characteristics, biofilm formation was reduced as compared to strains with no fusion. In this study, we artificially produced GTFBC fusion strains by adding recombinant RecA (rRecA), which showed low cariogenic properties. Also, gel-shift assay results indicated that rRecA may bind to the promoter sequences of gtfB and C, encoding GTFB and C. However, gtfB expression was increased when the rRecA was added to growing cells. We speculate that RecA has two functions with gtf genes, though further investigation is needed. RecA may have important roles in gtf expression related to biofilm formation, which may lead to development of a substrate to prevent dental caries.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学