• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.304-313
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• 2004

Xylitol, a five-carbon natural sugar alcohol, is widely used non-cariogenic sugar substitute. In present study, the effects of xylitol on the expression of mRNA for glucosyltransferase which synthesizes glucan from sucrose were detected by Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and flow cytometry. FITC fluorescences for mRNA of gtfB, gtfC and gtfD were decreased further with increasing concentration of xylitol from 1% to 10% when detected by FISH. Flow cytometric analysis also showed that the expression of gtfB, gtfC and gtfD was increased by the addition of sucrose and decreased by the addition of xylitol to BHI broth containing 1% sucrose. In conclusion, the expression of gtfB, gtfC and gtfD mRNA was decreased by the addition of xylitol.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.299-308
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• 2007

Insoluble glucan is the important component of oral biofilm, which is synthesized from sucrose through the action of glucosyltransferase (GTF) B and GTF C encoded by the gtfB and gtfC genes, respectively of Streptococcus mutans. In present study, the effects of various sugars on the mRNA expression of gtfB and gtfC of S. mutans Ingbritt were examined by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The mRNA of gtfB and gtfC was expressed normally in the BHI broth containing 1% and 5% sucrose. The mRNA expression was decreased by the addition of 10% of glucose, and 1%, 5% and 10% of fructose. Lactose had no great effect on the expression of gtfB and gtfC. 5% and 10% of xylitol greatly reduced the mRNA expression of gtfB and gtfC. Sorbitol slightly decreased the mRNA expression of gtfB and gtfC when compared to the control. In summary, mRNA expression of gtfB and gtfC was decreased by the addition of glucose, fructose, and xylitol.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2006

Since the long-term exposure of mutans streptococci to xylitol is known to select for xylitol-resistant $(X^R)$ natural mutants, the occurrence and survival of such $(X^R)$ strains were performed in batch culture methods. The aim of the study was to compare the differentiation and quantification of mRNA expression of the gtf genes of $X^R\;and\;X^S$ mutans streptococci. Using a real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, the expression of each gtf was determined. In $X^R$ strains, the relative levels of transcription of gtfB and gtfC were decreased while that of gtfD was increased, suggesting the presence of independent promoters. It also suggested that mutation related to production of glucosyltransferase occurred under the exposure of xylitol could explain the caries-preventive mechanisms of xylitol.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.31-36
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• 2019

Streptococcus mutans is one of the important bacteria that forms dental biofilm and cause dental caries. Virulence genes in S. mutans can be classified into the genes involved in bacterial adhesion, extracellular polysaccharide formation, biofilm formation, sugar uptake and metabolism, acid tolerance, and regulation. The genes involved in bacterial adhesion are gbps (gbpA, gbpB, and gbpC) and spaP. The gbp genes encode glucan-binding protein (GBP) A, GBP B, and GBP C. The spaP gene encodes cell surface antigen, SpaP. The genes involved in extracellular polysaccharide formation are gtfs (gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD) and ftf, which encode glycosyltransferase (GTF) B, GTF C, and GTF D and fructosyltransferase, respectively. The genes involved in biofilm formation are smu630, relA, and comDE. The smu630 gene is important for biofilm formation. The relA and comDE genes contribute to quorumsensing and biofilm formation. The genes involved in sugar uptake and metabolism are eno, ldh, and relA. The eno gene encodes bacterial enolase, which catalyzes the formation of phosphoenolpyruvate. The ldh gene encodes lactic acid dehydrogenase. The relA gene contributes to the regulation of the glucose phosphotransferase system. The genes related to acid tolerance are atpD, aguD, brpA, and relA. The atpD gene encodes $F_1F_0$-ATPase, a proton pump that discharges $H^+$ from within the bacterium to the outside. The aguD gene encodes agmatine deiminase system and produces alkali to overcome acid stress. The genes involved in regulation are vicR, brpA, and relA.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.411-416
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• 2011

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the major causative bacteria in dental caries. Xylitol is effective anticarious natural sugar substitute by inhibiting the virulence of S. mutans. However, long-term xylitol consumption leads to the emergence of the xylitol-resistant (XR) strains which means xylitol is no more inhibited their growth. We therefore confirmed the general characteristics and the virulence factors of the xylitol-sensitive (XS) and XR S. mutans for different concentrations of xylitol. S. mutans KCTC 3065 was maintained in TYE medium containing 0.4% glucose with 1% xylitol during 30 days at $37^{\circ}C$, 10% $CO_2$ to form XR strain. The strains were transferred to new medium every 24 hr and the same procedures without xylitol were repeated for the formation of XS S. mutans. Both XS and XR were cultured in different concentrations of xylitol (0%, 0.1% and 1%) then, cell growth, acid production and mRNA expression of gtf genes were analyzed. Xylitol reduced the cell growth of XS S. mutans in dose-dependent manner, but not reduced that of XR. Xylitol inhibited acid production of XS in dose-dependent manner, but not inhibited that of XR. Xylitol reduced the gtfB and gtfD mRNA expression of XS S. mutans which genes synthesized soluble and insoluble extracellular polysaccharides, but not reduced that of XR. These results indicate that the virulence of XR S. mutans is different characters of XS strains, which suggests XR strains may have different cariogenicity of XS strains. Further study is needed to explain the mechanism related to extracellular polysaccharide in the XR strains.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2023

Erythritol is a sweetener produced by yeast from glucose and a natural sugar found in fermented foods such as mushrooms, wine, fruits, rice wine, and soy sauce. Correct information and basic data when producing or using products for preventing dental caries by checking the gene expression patterns of glucosyl transferase (GTF) and fructosyl transferase (FTF) of Streptococcus mutans in erythritol and other sweeteners it was implemented to provide. Erythritol inhibited the growth of Streptococcus mutans, which is involved in dental caries. When used as a sweetener to replace sucrose, erythritol had an excellent caries-preventative effect. In particular, erythritol reduced the expressions of gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, and FTF, which are related to the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides, and thereby reduced the formation of dental plaque and the attachment rate of bacteria to tooth surfaces. The study shows erythritol has potential use as an anticariogenic sweetener that inhibits the mechanism underlying caries caused by Streptococci.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.10-21
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of a detection method for Streptococcus mutans in saliva with monoclonal antibodies developed targeting Ag I/II and glucosyltransferases (gtf B, gtf C and gtf D) in Streptococcus mutans. In the three groups tested (adults, minors, and minors under orthodontic treatment), the results of the DMFT scores, the colony density (CFU/mL) in their saliva was measured using $Dentocult^{(R)}$-SM strip mutans, polymerase chain reaction was performed to test whether Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were present, and Streptococcus mutans detecting tests performed in their saliva using four types of monoclonal antibody were collected. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the Streptococcus mutants plays more important role in forming dental caries compared to Streptococcus sobrinus, and that the monoclonal antibodies against glucosyltransferases (gtf B, gtf C, gtf D) and Ag I/II of Streptococcus mutans are superior in detecting Streptococcus mutans to $Dentocult^{(R)}$-SM strip mutans or polymerase chain reaction.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.2990-2996
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• 2009

S. mutans, one of a major causal agents of dental caries, is component of the dental plaque and produces various organic acids such as lactic acid as the end-product of glycolysis. In this study, we are interested in comparing the gene expression of acid-shocked and control cells of S. mutans isolated from Korean with caries. Expression levels of gtfB, gtfC, gtfD and ftf were analyzed by Real-time PCR, when the cells were grown under 20 mM lactic acid stress in the exponential phase. The data showed reduced expression of these genes. S. mutans is known to have developed a variety of mechanisms to tolerate acid sterss. A more detailed analysis of the functions and interactions of acid stress proteins connecting the growth, stress tolerance, biofilm formation is under way.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.531-538
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• 2009

Xylitol has the ability to reduce the adherence of Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans), which can make it easier to remove plaque, decrease acid production and inhibit dental caries. There are few reports on the effects of xylitol on the expression of the virulence related genes in S. mutans. This study examined the inhibitory effect of chewing gum containing xylitol on glucan synthesis related gene expression of S. mutans. Participants were voluntarily recruited for a women's oral health prevention program, classified into two groups(a control and a xylitol group), and then followed for 2 years. Twenty salivary samples were randomly selected from each group. Colony count and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze the characteristics of S. mutans. The following results were obtained: The S. mutans counts decreased steadily in the xylitol group over the study period(p<0.05). The expression of the virulence related genes (gtfB, gtfC and gtfD) was significantly lower in the xylitol group than in the control groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that chewing xylitol gum for a long period of time may reduce the expression of the genes associated with S. mutans virulence, which can result in a decrease growth of S. mutans colonies as a result.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.397-405
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• 2020

The aim of this study is to compare cariogenic characteristics of fluoride-sensitive Streptococcus mutans [fluoride-sensitive (FS) S. mutans ] and fluoride-resistant Streptococcus mutans [fluoride-resistant (FR) S. mutans] in the presence of sucrose, and to evaluate its effect on cariogenic biofilm formation. S. mutans ATCC 25175 was continuously cultured in trypticase soy broth (TSB) containing NaF (70 ppm) for 40 days to generate FR S. mutans. FS and FR S. mutans were inoculated in TSB with or without 2% sucrose, and optical density and pH were measured every hour. An oral biofilm was formed using saliva bacteria and analyzed through confocal laser scanning microscopy and CFU count. Finally, the expression of glucosyltransferases genes of both S. mutans was investigated through RT-PCR. FR S. mutans exhibited slower growth and lower acidogenicity in the presence of sucrose compared to FS S. mutans . Both cariogenic and single species biofilm formation was lower in the presence of FR S. mutans, along with reduced number of bacteria. FR S. mutans showed significantly low levels of gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD expression compared to FS S. mutans . On the basis of results, FR S. mutans may be less virulent in the induction of dental caries.