Multiple factors regulate the expression of in .

Introduction: The gene cluster, encoding the sole iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster assembly system in , was recently shown to be up-regulated in response to oxidative stressors and Fe limitation.

Methods: In this study, luciferase reporter fusion assays, electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays (EMSA) and transcription assays (IVT) were used to dissect the and acting factors that regulate the expression of .

Results And Discussion: Results showed deletion of , for the only Fur-family transcriptional regulator in , resulted in >5-fold increases in luciferase activity under the control of the promoter (P<0.

Trivalent immunization with metal-binding proteins confers protection against enterococci in a mouse infection model.

is ranked among the top five bacterial pathogens responsible for catheter-associated urinary tract infections, wound infections, secondary root canal infections, and infective endocarditis. Previously, we showed that inactivation of either the manganese- and iron-binding (EfaA) or zinc-binding (AdcA and AdcAII) lipoproteins significantly reduced virulence. Here, we explored whether immunization using a multi-valent approach induces protective immunity against systemic enterococcal infections.

MecA in is a multi-functional protein.

Unlabelled: Our recent studies have shown that deficiency of MecA in significantly affects cell division, growth, and biofilm formation. In this study, an mixed-species model, proteomics, and affinity pull-down assays were used to further characterize the MecA-mediated regulation in . The results showed that compared with the wild type, UA159, the mutant significantly reduced its production of glucans and weakened its ability to facilitate mixed-species biofilm formation.

Post-translational modification by the Pgf glycosylation machinery modulates Streptococcus mutans OMZ175 physiology and virulence.

Streptococcus mutans is commonly associated with dental caries and the ability to form biofilms is essential for its pathogenicity. We recently identified the Pgf glycosylation machinery of S. mutans, responsible for the post-translational modification of the surface-associated adhesins Cnm and WapA.

Quantitative Analysis of Biofilm Removal Following Instrumentation with TRUShape and Vortex Blue File Systems: Microbiological Study.

Mesial roots and isthmuses of mandibular molars are difficult areas to obtain adequate disinfection of root canal walls, and consequently microorganisms can survive treatment. The present study compared, through real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), the effectiveness of TRUShape (TS) (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) and Vortex Blue (VB) (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) in removing () from the mesial canals and isthmuses of mandibular molars. Fifty extracted human lower molars were inoculated with OG1RF for 14 days, and then an initial bacterial sample was collected with paper points from mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals and isthmuses.