Streptococcus gordonii FSS2 Challisin affects fibrin clot formation by digestion of the αC region and cleavage of the N -terminal region of the Bβ chains of fibrinogen.

Bacteria within endocarditis vegetations are encased in fibrin matrix that is resistant to resolution. We have previously shown that FSS2 Challisin, a serine protease from Streptococcus gordonii, is able to hydrolyse the Aα and Bβ chains of fibrinogen and has potent angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity. The alteration in the structure of fibrin formed from FSS2 Challisin-degraded fibrinogen may therefore contribute to the resistant fibrin matrix.

Carboxypeptidase activity common to viridans group streptococci cleaves angiotensin I to angiotensin II: an activity homologous to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).

We have found that Streptococcus gordonii FSS2, an infective endocarditis (IE) isolate, expresses a dipeptidyl-carboxypeptidase with activity homologous to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). The carboxypeptidase activity was purified to homogeneity as a complex/aggregate from a bacterial surface extract and was also active as a 165 kDa monomer. The specific activity for the carboxypeptidase activity was eightfold higher than that for recombinant human ACE.

Lactobacilli are prominent in the initial stages of polymicrobial infection of dental pulp.

In earlier studies we used molecular methods to identify the major bacterial consortia associated with advanced dentin caries. These consortia are dominated by bacteria from the families Lactobacillaceae, Streptococcaceae, Veillonellaceae (formerly Acidaminococcaceae), Eubacteriaceae, and Lachnospiraceae from the phylum Firmicutes; Coriobacteriaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, and Propionibacteriaceae from the phylum Actinobacteria; and Prevotellaceae from the phylum Bacteroidetes, as well as fusobacteria. The phases of infection of vital pulp tissue by dentin microorganisms remain obscure.

Structure of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (GcnA) from the endocarditis pathogen Streptococcus gordonii and its complex with the mechanism-based inhibitor NAG-thiazoline.

The crystal structure of GcnA, an N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase from Streptococcus gordonii, was solved by multiple wavelength anomalous dispersion phasing using crystals of selenomethionine-substituted protein. GcnA is a homodimer with subunits each comprised of three domains. The structure of the C-terminal alpha-helical domain has not been observed previously and forms a large dimerisation interface.

Two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoretic analysis of Streptococcus mutans biofilms.

Compared with traditional two-dimensional (2D) proteome analysis of Streptococcus mutans grown as a biofilm from a planktonic culture at steady state (Rathsam et al., Microbiol. 2005, 151, 1823-1837), the use of 2D fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) led to a 3-fold increase in the number of identified protein spots that were significantly altered in their level of expression (P < 0.

Up-regulation of competence- but not stress-responsive proteins accompanies an altered metabolic phenotype in Streptococcus mutans biofilms.

Mature biofilm and planktonic cells of Streptococcus mutans cultured in a neutral pH environment were subjected to comparative proteome analysis. Of the 242 protein spots identified, 48 were significantly altered in their level of expression (P<0.050) or were unique to planktonic or biofilm-grown cells.

Crystallization of GcnA, an N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, from Streptococcus gordonii.

Streptococcus gordonii is a primary colonizer of the surface of human teeth. The gcnA gene is one of a number of genes involved in glycoside metabolism. GcnA has N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (EC 3.

Characterisation of a novel homodimeric N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase from Streptococcus gordonii.

An N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (GcnA) from Streptococcus gordonii FSS2 was cloned and sequenced. GcnA had a deduced molecular mass of 72,120 Da. The molecular weight after gel-filtration chromatography was 140,000 Da and by SDS-PAGE was 70,000 Da, indicating that the native protein was a homodimer.

Proteome analysis of Streptococcus mutans metabolic phenotype during acid tolerance.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis of the proteome of Streptococcus mutans grown at a steady state in a glucose-limited anaerobic continuous culture revealed a number of proteins that were differentially expressed when the growth pH was lowered from pH 7.0 to pH 5.0.

Stress-responsive proteins are upregulated in Streptococcus mutans during acid tolerance.

Streptococcus mutans is an important pathogen in the initiation of dental caries as the bacterium remains metabolically active when the environment becomes acidic. The mechanisms underlying this ability to survive and proliferate at low pH remain an area of intense investigation. Differential two-dimensional electrophoretic proteome analysis of S.

Cellular and extracellular proteome analysis of Streptococcus mutans grown in a chemostat.

The oral pathogen, Streptococcus mutans, was grown under glucose limitation in a chemostat at pH 7.0 and a dilution rate of 0.1 h(-1) to mimic the conditions prevailing in a healthy human oral cavity in between meal times.

Environmental regulation of glycosidase and peptidase production by Streptococcus gordonii FSS2.

The synthesis of cell-associated and secreted proteins by Streptococcus gordonii FSS2, an infective endocarditis (IE) isolate, was influenced by both environmental pH and carbon source. Controlling the pH at 7.5 in stirred batch cultures showed that cell-associated and secreted protein concentrations were increased during late exponential and stationary phase by 68% and 125%, respectively, compared with similar cultures without pH control.