Streptococcus mutans competence-stimulating peptide inhibits Candida albicans hypha formation

Eukaryot Cell. 2009 Nov;8(11):1658-64. doi: 10.1128/EC.00070-09. Epub 2009 Aug 28.

Abstract

The oral cavity is colonized by microorganisms growing in biofilms in which interspecies interactions take place. Streptococcus mutans grows in biofilms on enamel surfaces and is considered one of the main etiological agents of human dental caries. Candida albicans is also commonly found in the human oral cavity, where it interacts with S. mutans. C. albicans is a polymorphic fungus, and the yeast-to-hypha transition is involved in virulence and biofilm formation. The aim of this study was to investigate interkingdom communication between C. albicans and S. mutans based on the production of secreted molecules. S. mutans UA159 inhibited C. albicans germ tube (GT) formation in cocultures even when physically separated from C. albicans. Only S. mutans spent medium collected in the early exponential phase (4-h-old cultures) inhibited the GT formation of C. albicans. During this phase, S. mutans UA159 produces a quorum-sensing molecule, competence-stimulating peptide (CSP). The role of CSP in inhibiting GT formation was confirmed by using synthetic CSP and a comC deletion strain of S. mutans UA159, which lacks the ability to produce CSP. Other S. mutans strains and other Streptococcus spp. also inhibited GT formation but to different extents, possibly reflecting differences in CSP amino acid sequences among Streptococcus spp. or differences in CSP accumulation in the media. In conclusion, CSP, an S. mutans quorum-sensing molecule secreted during the early stages of growth, inhibits the C. albicans morphological switch.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / pharmacology
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / growth & development*
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Hyphae / drug effects
  • Hyphae / growth & development*
  • Protein Transport
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcus mutans / chemistry
  • Streptococcus mutans / genetics
  • Streptococcus mutans / growth & development
  • Streptococcus mutans / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • competence factor, Streptococcus