Streptococcus
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyCharacterization of a Type II-A CRISPR-Cas System in Streptococcus mutansCRISPR-Cas is one of the mechanisms used by bacteria to defend against viral predation. Increasing our knowledge of the biology and diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems will also improve our understanding of virus-bacterium interactions. As CRISPR-Cas systems acquiring novel immunities under laboratory conditions are rare, Streptococcus mutans strain P42S provides an...
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologymSphere of Influence: Intermetal Competition during Manganese ToxicityJulia E. Martin works in the field of metals in biology, with a focus on manganese (Mn) homeostasis in Streptococcus pneumoniae. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the paper entitled “Role of the manganese efflux system mntE for signalling and pathogenesis in Streptococcus...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyEvaluation of a Validated Luminex-Based Multiplex Immunoassay for Measuring Immunoglobulin G Antibodies in Serum to Pneumococcal Capsular PolysaccharidesThe pneumococcal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measures IgG antibodies in human serum, and it is an important assay that supports licensure of pneumococcal vaccines. The immune correlate of protection, 0.35 µg/ml of IgG antibodies, was determined by the ELISA method. Pfizer has developed a new Luminex-based assay platform to replace the ELISA. These papers describe the important work of (i) validating the Luminex-based assay...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyGenomewide Identification of Essential Genes and Fitness Determinants of Streptococcus mutans UA159Tooth decay (dental caries) is a common cause of pain, impaired quality of life, and tooth loss in children and adults. It begins because of a compositional change in the microorganisms that colonize the tooth surface driven by repeated and sustained carbohydrate intake. Although several bacterial species are associated with tooth decay, Streptococcus mutans is the...