A quorum-sensing signaling system essential for genetic competence in Streptococcus mutans is involved in biofilm formation.

In a previous study, a quorum-sensing signaling system essential for genetic competence in Streptococcus mutans was identified, characterized, and found to function optimally in biofilms (Li et al., J. Bacteriol.

PCR ligation mutagenesis in transformable streptococci: application and efficiency.

PCR ligation mutagenesis is a novel technique that can easily be adapted for many gene modification purposes. Successful application of this versatile technique involves sequence identification of the target gene region, creation of a mutagenic construct consisting of two gene-flanking proximal sequences specifically ligated to a selectable marker, and incorporation of this construct into the genome via genetic transformation and homologous recombination. In this study, we demonstrate the use of PCR, followed by restriction digestion and re-ligation to generate transforming constructs for the rapid deletion of open reading frames in transformable streptococci.