Phosphorylating enzymes involved in glucose fermentation of Actinomyces naeslundii

Synergistic metabolism of salivary MUC5B in oral commensal bacteria during early biofilm formation

IMPORTANCE

The study of bacterial interactions and salivary-mediated regulation of early dental biofilm activity is of interest for understanding oral microbial adaptation to environmental cues and biofilm maturation. Findings in oral commensals can prove useful from the perspectives of both oral and systemic health of the host, as well as the understanding of general microbial biofilm physiology. The knowledge may provide a basis for the development of prognostic biomarkers, or development of new treatment strategies, related to oral health and disease and possibly also to other biofilm-induced conditions. The study is also an important step toward developing the methodology for similar studies in other species and/or growth conditions.

Glucose-PTS Involvement in Maltose Metabolism by Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans grows with starch-derived maltose in the presence of saliva. Maltose transported into the cells is mediated by the MalQ protein (4-alpha-glucanotransferase) to produce glucose and maltooligosaccharides. Glucose can be phosphorylated to glucose 6-phosphate, which can enter the glycolysis pathway. The MalQ enzyme is essential in the catabolism of maltose when it is the sole carbon source, suggesting the presence of a downstream glucokinase of the MalQ enzyme reaction. However, a glucokinase gene-inactivated mutant (glk mutant) grew with maltose as the sole carbon source, with no residual glucokinase activity. This left a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) as the only candidate pathway for the phosphorylation of glucose in its transport as a substrate. Our hypothesis was that intracellular glucose derived from maltose mediated by the MalQ protein was released into the extracellular environment, and that such glucose was transported back into the cells by a PTS. The mannose PTS encoded by the manL, manM, and manN genes transports glucose into cells as a high affinity system with concomitant phosphorylation. The purpose of this study was to investigate extracellular glucose by using an enzyme-linked photometrical method, monitoring absorbance changes at 340 nm in supernatant of S. mutans cells. A significant amount of glucose was detected in the extracellular fluid of a glk, manLM double mutant. These results suggest that the glk and manLMN genes participate in maltose catabolism in this organism. The significance of multiple metabolic pathways for important energy sources, including maltose, in the oral environment is discussed.

Polyphosphate-Accumulating Bacteria: Potential Contributors to Mineral Dissolution in the Oral Cavity

Bacteria that accumulate polyphosphates have previously been shown to dynamically influence the solubility of phosphatic minerals in marine settings and wastewater. Here, we show that dental plaque, saliva, and carious lesions all contain abundant polyphosphate-accumulating bacteria. Saturation state modeling results, informed by phosphate uptake experiments using the model organism Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which is known to inhabit advanced carious lesions, suggest that polyphosphate accumulation can lead to undersaturated conditions with respect to hydroxyapatite under some oral cavity conditions. The cell densities of polyphosphate-accumulating bacteria we observed in some regions of oral biofilms are comparable to those that produce undersaturated conditions (i.e., those that thermodynamically favor mineral dissolution) in our phosphate uptake experiments with L. rhamnosus These results suggest that the localized generation of undersaturated conditions by polyphosphate-accumulating bacteria constitutes a new potential mechanism of tooth dissolution that may augment the effects of metabolic acid production.IMPORTANCE Dental caries is a serious public health issue that can have negative impacts on overall quality of life and oral health. The role of oral bacteria in the dissolution of dental enamel and dentin that can result in carious lesions has long been solely ascribed to metabolic acid production. Here, we show that certain oral bacteria may act as a dynamic shunt for phosphate in dental biofilms via the accumulation of a polymer known as polyphosphate-potentially mediating phosphate-dependent conditions such as caries (dental decay).

Insights into Butyrate Production in a Controlled Fermentation System via Gene Predictions

Butyrate is a common fatty acid produced in important fermentative systems, such as the human/animal gut and other H₂ production systems. Despite its importance, there is little information on the partnerships between butyrate producers and other bacteria. The objective of this work was to uncover butyrate-producing microbial communities and possible metabolic routes in a controlled fermentation system aimed at butyrate production. The butyrogenic reactor was operated at 37°C and pH 5.5 with a hydraulic retention time of 31 h and a low hydrogen partial pressure (PH₂). High-throughput sequencing and metagenome functional prediction from 16S rRNA data showed that butyrate production pathways and microbial communities were different during batch (closed) and continuous-mode operation. Lactobacillaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Enterococcaceae were the most abundant phylotypes in the closed system without PH₂ control, whereas Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Actinomycetaceae were the most abundant phylotypes under continuous operation at low PH₂. Putative butyrate producers identified in our system were from Prevotellaceae, Clostridiaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae. Metagenome prediction analysis suggests that nonbutyrogenic microorganisms influenced butyrate production by generating butyrate precursors such as acetate, lactate, and succinate. 16S rRNA gene analysis suggested that, in the reactor, a partnership between identified butyrogenic microorganisms and succinate (i.e., Actinomycetaceae), acetate (i.e., Ruminococcaceae and Actinomycetaceae), and lactate producers (i.e., Ruminococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae) took place under continuous-flow operation at low PH₂. IMPORTANCE This study demonstrates how bioinformatics tools, such as metagenome functional prediction from 16S rRNA genes, can help understand biological systems and reveal microbial interactions in controlled systems (e.g., bioreactors). Results obtained from controlled systems are easier to interpret than those from human/animal studies because observed changes may be specifically attributed to the design conditions imposed on the system. Bioinformatics analysis allowed us to identify potential butyrogenic phylotypes and associated butyrate metabolism pathways when we systematically varied the PH₂ in a carefully controlled fermentation system. Our insights may be adapted to butyrate production studies in biohydrogen systems and gut models, since butyrate is a main product and a crucial fatty acid in human/animal colon health.

Actinomyces spp. gene expression in root caries lesions

Background

The studies of the distribution of Actinomyces spp. on carious and non-carious root surfaces have not been able to confirm the association of these bacteria with root caries, although they were extensively implicated as a prime suspect in root caries.

Objective

The aim of this study was to observe the gene expression of Actinomyces spp. in the microbiota of root surfaces with and without caries.

Design

The oral biofilms from exposed sound root surface (SRS; n=10) and active root caries (RC; n=30) samples were collected. The total bacterial RNA was extracted, and the mRNA was isolated. Samples with low RNA concentration were pooled, yielding a final sample size of SRS=10 and RC=9. Complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries were prepared and sequenced on an Illumina^® HiSeq 2500 system. Sequence reads were mapped to eight Actinomyces genomes. Count data were normalized using DESeq2 to analyse differential gene expression applying the Benjamini-Hochberg correction (false discovery rate [FDR]<0.001).

Results

Actinomyces spp. had similar numbers of reads (Mann-Whitney U-test; p>0.05), except for Actinomyces OT178 (p=0.001) and Actinomyces gerencseriae (p=0.004), which had higher read counts in the SRS. Genes that code for stress proteins (clp, dnaK, and groEL), enzymes of glycolysis pathways (including enolase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), adhesion (Type-2 fimbrial and collagen-binding protein), and cell growth (EF-Tu) were highly – but not differentially (p>0.001) – expressed in both groups. Genes with the most significant upregulation in RC were those coding for hypothetical proteins and uracil DNA glycosylase (p=2.61E-17). The gene with the most significant upregulation in SRS was a peptide ABC transporter substrate-binding protein (log2FC=−6.00, FDR=2.37E-05).

Conclusion

There were similar levels of Actinomyces gene expression in both sound and carious root biofilms. These bacteria can be commensal in root surface sites but may be cariogenic due to survival mechanisms that allow them to exist in acid environments and to metabolize sugars, saving energy.

Nitrogenous compounds stimulate glucose-derived acid production by oral Streptococcus and Actinomyces

Both Streptococcus and Actinomyces can produce acids from dietary sugars and are frequently found in caries lesions. In the oral cavity, nitrogenous compounds, such as peptides and amino acids, are provided continuously by saliva and crevicular gingival fluid. Given that these bacteria can also utilize nitrogen compounds for their growth, it was hypothesized that nitrogenous compounds may influence their acid production; however, no previous studies have examined this topic. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effects of nitrogenous compounds (tryptone and glutamate) on glucose-derived acid production by Streptococcus and Actinomyces. Acid production was evaluated using a pH-stat method under anaerobic conditions, whereas the amounts of metabolic end-products were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. Tryptone enhanced glucose-derived acid production by up to 2.68-fold, whereas glutamate enhanced Streptococcus species only. However, neither tryptone nor glutamate altered the end-product profiles, indicating that the nitrogenous compounds stimulate the whole metabolic pathways involving in acid production from glucose, but are not actively metabolized, nor do they alter metabolic pathways. These results suggest that nitrogenous compounds in the oral cavity promote acid production by Streptococcus and Actinomyces in vivo.

Atypical glycolysis in Clostridium thermocellum

Cofactor specificities of glycolytic enzymes in Clostridium thermocellum were studied with cellobiose-grown cells from batch cultures. Intracellular glucose was phosphorylated by glucokinase using GTP rather than ATP. Although phosphofructokinase typically uses ATP as a phosphoryl donor, we found only pyrophosphate (PPi)-linked activity. Phosphoglycerate kinase used both GDP and ADP as phosphoryl acceptors. In agreement with the absence of a pyruvate kinase sequence in the C. thermocellum genome, no activity of this enzyme could be detected. Also, the annotated pyruvate phosphate dikinase (ppdk) is not crucial for the generation of pyruvate from phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), as deletion of the ppdk gene did not substantially change cellobiose fermentation. Instead pyruvate formation is likely to proceed via a malate shunt with GDP-linked PEP carboxykinase, NADH-linked malate dehydrogenase, and NADP-linked malic enzyme. High activities of these enzymes were detected in extracts of cellobiose-grown cells. Our results thus show that GTP is consumed while both GTP and ATP are produced in glycolysis of C. thermocellum. The requirement for PPi in this pathway can be satisfied only to a small extent by biosynthetic reactions, in contrast to what is generally assumed for a PPi-dependent glycolysis in anaerobic heterotrophs. Metabolic network analysis showed that most of the required PPi must be generated via ATP or GTP hydrolysis exclusive of that which happens during biosynthesis. Experimental proof for the necessity of an alternative mechanism of PPi generation was obtained by studying the glycolysis in washed-cell suspensions in which biosynthesis was absent. Under these conditions, cells still fermented cellobiose to ethanol.

The Role of Bacteria in the Caries Process

Dental biofilms produce acids from carbohydrates that result in caries. According to the extended caries ecological hypothesis, the caries process consists of 3 reversible stages. The microflora on clinically sound enamel surfaces contains mainly non-mutans streptococci and Actinomyces, in which acidification is mild and infrequent. This is compatible with equilibrium of the demineralization/remineralization balance or shifts the mineral balance toward net mineral gain (dynamic stability stage). When sugar is supplied frequently, acidification becomes moderate and frequent. This may enhance the acidogenicity and acidurance of the non-mutans bacteria adaptively. In addition, more aciduric strains, such as ‘low-pH’ non-mutans streptococci, may increase selectively. These microbial acid-induced adaptation and selection processes may, over time, shift the demineralization/remineralization balance toward net mineral loss, leading to initiation/progression of dental caries (acidogenic stage). Under severe and prolonged acidic conditions, more aciduric bacteria become dominant through acid-induced selection by temporary acid-impairment and acid-inhibition of growth (aciduric stage). At this stage, mutans streptococci and lactobacilli as well as aciduric strains of non-mutans streptococci, Actinomyces, bifidobacteria, and yeasts may become dominant. Many acidogenic and aciduric bacteria are involved in caries. Environmental acidification is the main determinant of the phenotypic and genotypic changes that occur in the microflora during caries.

Actinomyces naeslundii in initial dental biofilm formation

The combined use of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) offers new opportunities for analysis of the spatial relationships and temporal changes of specific members of the microbiota of intact dental biofilms. The purpose of this study was to analyse the patterns of colonization and population dynamics of Actinomyces naeslundii compared to streptococci and other bacteria during the initial 48 h of biofilm formation in the oral cavity. Biofilms developed on standardized glass slabs mounted in intra-oral appliances worn by ten individuals for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. The biofilms were subsequently labelled with probes against A. naeslundii (ACT476), streptococci (STR405) or all bacteria (EUB338), and were analysed by CLSM. Labelled bacteria were quantified by stereological tools. The results showed a notable increase in the number of streptococci and A. naeslundii over time, with a tendency towards a slower growth rate for A. naeslundii compared with streptococci. A. naeslundii was located mainly in the inner part of the multilayered biofilm, indicating that it is one of the species that attaches directly to the acquired pellicle. The participation of A. naeslundii in the initial stages of dental biofilm formation may have important ecological consequences.

Dominant sugar utilizers in sediment of Lake Constance depend on syntrophic cooperation with methanogenic partner organisms

Six strains of novel bacteria were isolated from profundal sediment of Lake Constance, a deep freshwater lake in Germany, by direct dilution of the sediment in mineral agar medium containing a background lawn of the hydrogen-scavenging Methanospirillum hungatei as a syntrophic partner. The numbers of colony-forming units obtained after incubation for more than 2 months were in the same range as those of total bacterial counts determined by DAPI staining (up to 10(8) cells per millilitre) suggesting that these organisms were dominant members of the community. Identical dilution series in the absence of methanogenic partners yielded numbers that were lower by two to three orders of magnitude. The dominant bacteria were isolated in defined co-culture with M. hungatei, and were further characterized. Growth was slow, with doubling times of 22-28 h at 28 degrees C. Cells were small, 0.5 x 5 microm in size, Gram-positive, and formed terminal oval spores. At 20 degrees C, glucose was fermented by the co-culture strain BoGlc83 nearly stoichiometrically to 2 mol of acetate and 1 mol of methane plus CO(2). At higher temperatures, also lactate and traces of succinate were formed. Anaerobic growth depended strictly on the presence of a hydrogen-scavenging partner organism and was inhibited by bromoethane sulfonate, which together indicate the need for a syntrophic partnership for this process. Strain BoGlc83 grew also aerobically in the absence of a partner organism. All enzymes involved in ATP formation via glycolysis and acetyl CoA were found, most of them at activities equivalent to the physiological substrate turnover rate. This new type of sugar-fermenting bacterium appears be the predominant sugar utilizer in this environment. The results show that syntrophic relationships can play an important role also for the utilization of substrates which otherwise can be degraded in pure culture.

Effects of Nidus Vespae extract and chemical fractions on the growth and acidogenicity of oral microorganisms

Nidus Vespae is the honeycomb of Polistes Olivaceous (De Geer), P. Japonicus Saussure, and Parapolybiavaria Fabricius. It is known to have a number of pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-virus, anti-tumor and anesthetic properties. The present study evaluated the antimicrobial activity and acid inhibition properties of extracts and chemical fractions of Nidus Vespae. The raw material was first extracted using 95% ethanol/water. Subsequent fractions were prepared from this extract using cyclohexane/ethyl acetate, petroleum ether/ethyl acetate, and chloroform/methanol. For the antimicrobial activity assays, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined using the microdilution method. The chloroform/methanol (Chl/MeOH) fraction showed the highest antibacterial activities with a MIC of 8-16mg/ml and an MBC of 16-32mg/ml. In addition, the extract and chemical fractions of Nidus Vespae showed a remarkable capacity for inhibiting the acid production of common oral bacteria at sub-MIC concentrations. Sub-MIC levels of the petroleum ether/ethyl acetate fraction significantly inhibited acid production by Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. The significant antiacidogenic activity demonstrated by Nidus Vespae shows it to be a promising source of novel anticariogenic agents.

The glycolytic genes pfk and pyk from Lactobacillus casei are induced by sugars transported by the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system and repressed by CcpA

In Lactobacillus casei BL23, phosphofructokinase activity was higher in cells utilizing sugars transported by the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS). The phosphofructokinase gene (pfk) was cloned from L. casei and shown to be clustered with the gene encoding pyruvate kinase (pyk). pfk and pyk genes are cotranscribed and induced upon growth on sugars transported by the PTS. Contrarily to the model proposed for Lactococcus lactis, where the global catabolite regulator protein (CcpA) is involved in PTS-induced transcription of pfk and pyk, a ccpA mutation resulted in a slight increase in pfk-pyk expression in L. casei. This weak regulation was evidenced by CcpA binding to a region of the pfk-pyk promoter which contained two cre sequences significantly deviated from the consensus. The PTS induction of pfk-pyk seems to be counteracted by the CcpA-mediated repression. Our results suggest that the need to accommodate the levels of pfk-pyk mRNA to the availability of sugars is fulfilled in L. casei by a PTS/CcpA-mediated signal transduction different from L. lactis.

Glucose metabolism in the antibiotic producing actinomycete Nonomuraea sp. ATCC 39727

The actinomycete Nonomuraea sp. ATCC 39727, producer of the glycopeptide A40926 that is used as precursor for the novel antibiotic dalbavancin, has an unusual carbon metabolism. Glucose is primarily metabolized via the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway, although the energetically more favorable Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway is present in this organism. Moreover, Nonomuraea utilizes a PPi-dependent phosphofructokinase, an enzyme that has been connected with anaerobic metabolism in eukaryotes and higher plants, but recently has been recognized in several actinomycetes. In order to study its primary carbon metabolism in further detail, Nonomuraea was cultivated with [1-13C] glucose as the only carbon source and the 13C-labeling patterns of proteinogenic amino acids were determined by GC-MS analysis. Through this method, the fluxes in the central carbon metabolism during balanced growth were estimated. Moreover, a shift in the label incorporation pattern was observed in connection with phosphate limitation and increased antibiotic productivity in Nonomuraea. The shift indicated an increased flux through the EMP pathway at the expense of the flux through the ED pathway, a suggestion that was supported by alterations in intracellular metabolite levels during phosphate limitation. In contrast, expression levels of genes encoding enzymes in the ED and EMP pathways were not affected by phosphate limitation.

Different physiological roles of ATP- and PP(i)-dependent phosphofructokinase isoenzymes in the methylotrophic actinomycete Amycolatopsis methanolica

Cells of the actinomycete Amycolatopsis methanolica grown on glucose possess only a single, exclusively PP(i)-dependent phosphofructokinase (PP(i)-PFK) (A. M. C. R. Alves, G. J. W. Euverink, H. J. Hektor, J. van der Vlag, W. Vrijbloed, D.H.A. Hondmann, J. Visser, and L. Dijkhuizen, J. Bacteriol. 176:6827-6835, 1994). When this methylotrophic bacterium is grown on one-carbon (C(1)) compounds (e.g., methanol), an ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase (ATP-PFK) activity is specifically induced, completely replacing the PP(i)-PFK. The two A. methanolica PFK isoenzymes have very distinct functions, namely, in the metabolism of C(6) and C(1) carbon substrates. This is the first report providing biochemical evidence for the presence and physiological roles of PP(i)-PFK and ATP-PFK isoenzymes in a bacterium. The novel ATP-PFK enzyme was purified to homogeneity and characterized in detail at the biochemical and molecular levels. The A. methanolica ATP-PFK and PP(i)-PFK proteins possess a low level of amino acid sequence similarity (24%), clearly showing that the two proteins are not the result of a gene duplication event. PP(i)-PFK is closely related to other (putative) actinomycete PFK enzymes. Surprisingly, the A. methanolica ATP-PFK is most similar to ATP-PFK from the protozoon Trypanosoma brucei and PP(i)-PFK proteins from the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and Treponema pallidum, both spirochetes, very distinct from actinomycetes. The data thus suggest that A. methanolica obtained the ATP-PFK-encoding gene via a lateral gene transfer event.

Glucose metabolism by Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens

Glucose metabolism by Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens were investigated. Glucose increased the anaerobic growth of these bacteria and promoted the accumulation of intracellular polysaccharide. The polysaccharide was confirmed to be glycogen-like glucan by the absorption spectrum of iodinepolysaccharide complex and the sugar composition. The washed cells consumed glucose anaerobically and converted a part of glucose into the metabolic end-products acetate, formate and succinate. The rest of glucose was confirmed to be accumulated as intracellular polysaccharide. The cells grown in the presence of glucose produced acetate, formate and succinate without exogenous glucose along with the consumption of intracellular polysaccharide. The metabolism of glucose and intracellular polysaccharide required bicarbonate. Prevotella cells had hexokinase and a set of the usual enzymes of the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway except that phosphofructokinase was pyrophosphate-dependent. A series of enzymes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, malate dehydrogenase, fumarase and fumarate reductase, was found for succinate formation. Another series of enzymes, pyruvate oxidoreductase, pyruvate formate-lyase, phosphotransacetylase and acetate kinase was found for acetate and formate formation. Glucose 1,6-bisphosphate-dependent phosphoglucomutase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate-activated UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase were detected for glycogen synthesis, while glycogen phosphorylase was for glycogen degradation. The capacity of intracellular polysaccharide formation in addition to glucose fermentation could be advantageous for survival in the supragingival area as well as in the subgingival area.

Glucose and lactate metabolism by Actinomyces naeslundii

Actinomyces are among the predominant bacteria in the oral microflora. This review discusses the glucose and lactate metabolism of Actinomyces naeslundii and its ecological significance in dental plaque. This bacterium has the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway as the main route to degrade glucose. The EMP pathway-derived metabolic intermediates, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and pyruvate, are further converted into different end-products, depending on the environment. Under anaerobic conditions in the absence of bicarbonate, the pyruvate is converted into lactate by a lactate dehydrogenase. In the presence of bicarbonate, the PEP is combined with bicarbonate and then converted into succinate through the succinate pathway, while the pyruvate is converted into formate and acetate through the pyruvate formate-lyase pathway. Under aerobic conditions, the pyruvate liberates acetate and CO2 through a pathway initiated by a pyruvate dehydrogenase. A. naeslundii strains also degrade lactate, aerobically, to acetate and CO2 through the conversion of lactate into pyruvate by a NAD-independent lactate dehydrogenase. These strains also synthesize glycogen from a glycolytic intermediate, glucose 6-phosphate. Besides atmospheric conditions and bicarbonate, the intracellular reduction-oxidation potential, carbohydrate concentration, and environmental pH also modulate the metabolism of A. naeslundii. Some of the phosphorylating enzymes involved in A. naeslundii metabolism--e.g., GTP/polyphosphate (PPn)-dependent glucokinase, pyrophosphate (PPi)-dependent phosphofructokinase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, and GDP/IDP-dependent PEP carboxykinase--are unique to A. naeslundii and have not been found in other oral bacteria. The utilization of PPn and PPi as phosphoryl donors, together with glycogen synthesis and lactate utilization, could contribute to the efficient energy metabolism found in A. naeslundii. Through this flexible and efficient metabolic capacity, A. naeslundii can adapt to fluctuating environments and compete with other bacteria in dental plaque. Further, this bacterium may modify the dental plaque environment and promote the microbial population shifts in dental plaque.

Effects of pH on the glucose and lactate metabolisms by the washed cells of Actinomyces naeslundii under anaerobic and aerobic conditions

Effects of pH on the glucose and lactate metabolism by the washed cells of Actinomyces naeslundii genospecies 1 and 2 under anaerobic and aerobic conditions were studied. The rate of acid production from glucose was the highest at pH 7.0 and decreased as the pH lowered to 4.5, irrespective of atmospheric conditions. The anaerobic end-product in the absence of bicarbonate was mainly lactate, while in the presence of bicarbonate the rate of acid production increased 1.8-2.5 times with the production of formate, acetate and succinate in addition to lactate. Under aerobic conditions, the cells produced acids from glucose along with oxygen consumption and the end-product was mainly acetate. In contrast to the glucose metabilism, the cells produced base from lactate along with oxygen consumption. The rates of base production and oxygen consumption were the highest at pH 5.5. The end-products from lactate were acetate and pyruvate. These results indicate that oral actinomyces has a various activity of glucose and lactate metabolism at a wide range of environmental pH and suggest its flexibility in surviving in dental plaque, where the environmental factors fluctuate.

Identification of ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase as a regulatory step in the glycolytic pathway of the actinomycete Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

The ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase (ATP-PFK) of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) was purified to homogeneity (1,600-fold) and characterized (110 kDa, with a single type of subunit of 40 kDa); it is allosterically inhibited by phosphoenolpyruvate. Cloning of the pfk gene of S. coelicolor A3(2) and analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence (343 amino acids; 36,667 Da) revealed high similarities to the PPi-PFK enzyme from Amycolatopsis methanolica (tetramer, nonallosteric; 70%) and to the allosteric ATP-PFK enzymes from other bacteria, e.g., Escherichia coli (tetramer; 37%) and Bacillus stearothermophilus (tetramer, 41%). Further structural and functional analysis of the two actinomycete PFK enzymes should elucidate the features of these proteins that determine substrate specificity (ATP versus PPi) and allosteric (in)sensitivity.

Catabolic pathway for aerobic degradation of lactate by Actinomyces naeslundii

The aerobic metabolism of lactate by oral Actinomyces was studied. Six of 7 strains of Actinomyces naeslundii increased their growth in the presence of lactate under aerobic conditions. Washed cells grown on lactate aerobically degraded lactate and pyruvate to acetate with a concomitant consumption of oxygen. In the presence of catalase, the molar ratios of oxygen consumed to acetate produced were 1 for lactate degradation and 0.5 for pyruvate degradation. The enzymatic activities found in cell extracts revealed that lactate could be converted to pyruvate by NAD-independent lactate dehydrogenase (iLDH) and further to acetyl CoA by pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). The acetyl CoA formed could be metabolized into acetate by phosphotransacetylase (PTA) and acetate kinase (AK) with the formation of ATP. These results indicate that A. naeslundii metabolizes lactate into acetate by the sequential enzymatic reactions iLDH, PDH, PTA and AK and that hydrogens produced by iLDH and PDH are transferred to oxygen. The activity of lactate degradation and oxygen consumption may modify the environmental conditions of dental plaque.