Potassium (K؉ ) is the most abundant cation in the fluids of dental biofilm. The biochemical and biophysical functions of K ؉ and a variety of K ؉ transport systems have been studied for most pathogenic bacteria but not for oral pathogens. In this study, we establish the modes of K ؉ acquisition in Streptococcus mutans and the importance of K ؉ homeostasis for its virulence attributes. The S. mutans genome harbors four putative K ؉ transport systems that included two Trk-like transporters (designated Trk1 and Trk2), one glutamate/K ؉ cotransporter (GlnQHMP), and a channel-like K ؉ transport system (Kch). Mutants lacking Trk2 had significantly impaired growth, acidogenicity, aciduricity, and biofilm formation. [K ؉ ] less than 5 mM eliminated biofilm formation in S. mutans. The functionality of the Trk2 system was confirmed by complementing an Escherichia coli TK2420 mutant strain, which resulted in significant K ؉ accumulation, improved growth, and survival under stress. Taken together, these results suggest that Trk2 is the main facet of the K ؉ -dependent cellular response of S. mutans to environment stresses.
IMPORTANCEBiofilm formation and stress tolerance are important virulence properties of caries-causing Streptococcus mutans. To limit these properties of this bacterium, it is imperative to understand its survival mechanisms. Potassium is the most abundant cation in dental plaque, the natural environment of S. mutans. K ؉ is known to function in stress tolerance, and bacteria have specialized mechanisms for its uptake. However, there are no reports to identify or characterize specific K ؉ transporters in S. mutans. We identified the most important system for K ؉ homeostasis and its role in the biofilm formation, stress tolerance, and growth. We also show the requirement of environmental K ؉ for the activity of biofilm-forming enzymes, which explains why such high levels of K ؉ would favor biofilm formation.
Bacteria utilize specialized endogenous mechanisms to survive and proliferate in transient environments. A common bacterial response to environmental perturbations, such as acid stress, osmotic tension, and nutrient deprivation, is to accumulate certain solutes, such as potassium (K ϩ ). K ϩ , a naturally abundant cation, is present in all types of cells and is essential for both cell survival and physiology. K ϩ accumulation under stress conditions enables organisms to contend with dehydration, membrane damage, regulation of the Na ϩ /H ϩ -dependent cell energetics, and pH homeostasis while simultaneously minimizing interference with the structures and functions of intracellular proteins (1-3).In prokaryotes, four main K ϩ transport systems have been identified, which include the proteins Trk (or Ktr), Kdp, Kup, and channel-like Kch (4), all of which have different K ϩ affinities. Their variety and independent functioning have likely evolved as a cell survival strategy to ensure that adequate levels of K ϩ are present at all times to contend with environmental changes (5). These systems are r...