Arginine-induced metabolomic perturbation in Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Background Streptococcus mutans is a major pathogen responsible for dental caries. Arginine is a promising potential caries preventive agent which can inhibit the growth of S. mutans . However, the mechanism whereby arginine inhibits S. mutans growth remains unclear. Aim To assess the impact of arginine-induced metabolomic perturbations on S. mutans under biofilm conditions. Methods We identified 5,933 and 7,413 ions in positive (ESI+) and negative (ESI-) electrospray ion modes, respectively, with a total of 11.05% and 11.58% differential ions subsequently detected in two respective modes. Further analyses of these metabolites led to identification of 8 and 22 metabolic pathways that were affected by arginine treatment in ESI+ and ESI- modes., Results Once or twice daily treatments of S. mutans biofilms with arginine resulted in reductions in biofilm biomass. Significant reductions in EPS production were observed following twice daily arginine treatments. Identified metabolites that were significantly differentially abundant following arginine treatment were associated with glycolysis metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and peptidoglycan synthesis. Conclusions Arginine can reduce S. mutans biofilm growth and acid production by inhibiting glycolysis, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and peptidoglycan synthesis.

Correlation between caries activity and salivary microbiota in preschool children

“…Arginolytic bacteria such as S.gordonii can process arginine to yield ammonia through the arginine deiminase pathway (ADS), thereby promoting the neutralization of glycolytic acid and increasing the pH in oral biofilm. Liu et al (Liu et al, 2022) demonstrated that arginine could reduce the growth of S. mutans biofilm and acid production by inhibiting glycolysis, the metabolism of amino sugar and nucleotide sugar, and the synthesis of peptidoglycan. Arginine, as an important substrate for alkali-producing metabolism of oral bacteria, is an important mechanism for determining the acid-base balance of dental plaque and regulating the microecological balance of dental plaque biofilm (Bijle et al, 2020).…”

Genomic and phenotypic characterization of Streptococcus mutans isolates suggests key gene clusters in regulating its interaction with Streptococcus gordonii

“…Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii) is a Gram-positive bacterium included among some of the initial colonizers of the dental plaque biofilm (Pearce et al, 1995). The metabolic production of hydrogen peroxide produced by S. gordonii can inhibit the growth of S. mutans, and the production of alkaline ammonia can mitigate the localized acidity on the tooth surface, thereby helping to suppress cariogenesis (Liu and Burne, 2009;Cheng et al, 2020;Liu et al, 2022). Studies also showed that the detection rate of S. mutans in dental plaque is positively correlated with dental caries, while the detection rate of S. gordonii is negatively associated with dental caries (Saraithong et al, 2015;Tao et al, 2015).…”

Addition of cariogenic pathogens to complex oral microflora drives significant changes in biofilm compositions and functionalities

“…Within the biofilm microbiome, we observed a notable enrichment of peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Peptidoglycan is an essential bacterial cell wall component that helps to protect the integrity of cells while functioning as a scaffold that can anchor other proteins in place [ 60 ]. It is also cardinal for biofilm formation and maturation [ 61 ].…”