Oxygen dependent pyruvate oxidase expression and production in Streptococcus sanguinis

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the oxygen dependent regulation of pyruvate oxidase (SpxB) gene expression and protein production in Streptococcus sanguinis (S. sanguinis). SpxB is responsible for the generation of growth‐inhibiting amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) able to antagonize cariogenic Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Furthermore, the ecological consequence of H₂O₂ production was investigated in its self‐inhibiting ability towards the producing strain. Expression of spxB was determined with quantitative Real‐Time RT‐PCR and a fluorescent expression reporter strain. Protein abundance was investigated with FLAG epitope engineered in frame on the C‐terminal end of SpxB. Self inhibition was tested with an antagonism plate assay. The expression and protein abundance decreased in cells grown under anaerobic conditions. S. sanguinis was resistant against its own produced H₂O₂, while cariogenic S. mutans was inhibited in its growth. The results suggest that S. sanguinis produces H₂O₂ as antimicrobial substance to inhibit susceptible niche competing species like S. mutans during initial biofilm formation, when oxygen availability allows for spxB expression and Spx production.