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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1991 December; 57(12): 3648-3651

Ecological implications of glucosyltransferase phase variation in Streptococcus gordonii.

Department of Cariology and General Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Unviersity of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0620.

ABSTRACT

When sucrose is provided as a substrate for glucosyltransferase (GTF), Spp+ cells of the oral bacteria Streptococcus gordonii grow embedded in an insoluble glucan mass associated with surfaces. Spp- phase variants with lower GTF activity, which either arise from or are grown with Spp+ cells, segregate preferentially as unattached cells in the culture supernatants. Conversely, Spp+ revertants preferentially accumulate on surfaces. GTF phase variation, therefore, may facilitate the dispersion of S. gordonii cells throughout the oral cavity.

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