The fabM Gene Product of Streptococcus mutans Is Responsible for the Synthesis of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids and Is Necessary for Survival at Low pH
10.1128/jb.186.13.4152-4158.2004
Crossref journal-article
American Society for Microbiology
Journal of Bacteriology (235)
Abstract

ABSTRACT Previously, it has been demonstrated that the membrane fatty acid composition of Streptococcus mutans is affected by growth pH (E. M. Fozo and R. G. Quivey, Jr., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 929-936, 2004; R. G. Quivey, Jr., R. Faustoferri, K. Monahan, and R. Marquis, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 189: 89-92, 2000). Specifically, the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids increases when the organism is grown in acidic environments; if the shift to increased monounsaturated fatty acids is blocked by the addition of a fatty acid biosynthesis inhibitor, the organism is rendered more acid sensitive (E. M. Fozo and R. G. Quivey, Jr., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 929-936, 2004). Recently, work with Streptococcus pneumoniae has identified a novel enzyme, FabM, responsible for the production of monounsaturated fatty acids (H. Marrakchi, K. H. Choi, and C. O. Rock, J. Biol. Chem. 277: 44809-44816, 2002). Using the published S. pneumoniae sequence, a putative FabM was identified in the S. mutans strain UA159. We generated a fabM strain that does not produce unsaturated fatty acids as determined by gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters. The mutant strain was extremely sensitive to low pH in comparison to the wild type; however, the acid-sensitive phenotype was relieved by growth in the presence of long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids or through genetic complementation. The strain exhibited reduced glycolytic capability and altered glucose-PTS activity. In addition, the altered membrane composition was more impermeable to protons and did not maintain a normal ΔpH. The results suggest that altered membrane composition can significantly affect the acid survival capabilities, as well as several enzymatic activities, of S. mutans .

Bibliography

Fozo, E. M., & Quivey, R. G. (2004). The fabM Gene Product of Streptococcus mutans Is Responsible for the Synthesis of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids and Is Necessary for Survival at Low pH. Journal of Bacteriology, 186(13), 4152–4158.

Authors 2
  1. Elizabeth M. Fozo (first)
  2. Robert G. Quivey (additional)
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Dates
Type When
Created 21 years, 2 months ago (June 17, 2004, 3:03 p.m.)
Deposited 4 years ago (July 29, 2021, 1:16 p.m.)
Indexed 1 month ago (July 25, 2025, 6:16 a.m.)
Issued 21 years, 1 month ago (July 1, 2004)
Published 21 years, 1 month ago (July 1, 2004)
Published Print 21 years, 1 month ago (July 1, 2004)
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@article{Fozo_2004, title={The fabM Gene Product of Streptococcus mutans Is Responsible for the Synthesis of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids and Is Necessary for Survival at Low pH}, volume={186}, ISSN={1098-5530}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jb.186.13.4152-4158.2004}, DOI={10.1128/jb.186.13.4152-4158.2004}, number={13}, journal={Journal of Bacteriology}, publisher={American Society for Microbiology}, author={Fozo, Elizabeth M. and Quivey, Robert G.}, year={2004}, month=jul, pages={4152–4158} }