PspC domain-containing protein (PCP) determines Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation through bacterial extracellular DNA release and platelet adhesion in experimental endocarditis

PLoS Pathog. 2021 Feb 12;17(2):e1009289. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009289. eCollection 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Bacterial extracellular DNA (eDNA) and activated platelets have been found to contribute to biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans on injured heart valves to induce infective endocarditis (IE), yet the bacterial component directly responsible for biofilm formation or platelet adhesion remains unclear. Using in vivo survival assays coupled with microarray analysis, the present study identified a LiaR-regulated PspC domain-containing protein (PCP) in S. mutans that mediates bacterial biofilm formation in vivo. Reverse transcriptase- and chromatin immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction assays confirmed the regulation of pcp by LiaR, while PCP is well-preserved among streptococcal pathogens. Deficiency of pcp reduced in vitro and in vivo biofilm formation and released the eDNA inside bacteria floe along with reduced bacterial platelet adhesion capacity in a fibrinogen-dependent manner. Therefore, LiaR-regulated PCP alone could determine release of bacterial eDNA and binding to platelets, thus contributing to biofilm formation in S. mutans-induced IE.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Endocarditis / metabolism
  • Endocarditis / microbiology*
  • Endocarditis / pathology
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Platelet Adhesiveness*
  • Rats
  • Streptococcal Infections / metabolism
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / pathology
  • Streptococcus mutans / genetics
  • Streptococcus mutans / growth & development*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST 106-2320-B-002-022-MY3 to J.S.C., MOST 108-2320-B-038-057-MY3 to C.J.J., and MOST 109-2320-B-002-053 to J.S.C.) and Taipei Medical University (TMU105-AE1-B27 to C.J.J.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.