Utilization of GlcNAc by Streptococcus mutans promotes pH homeostasis

What is it about?

Amino sugars such as GlcNAc are among the most abundant sugars found on earth. As a preferred source of both carbon and nitrogen, utilization of these chemicals is often known to promote bacterial competitiveness and sometimes their ability to cause diseases. Here we report a study characterizing the essential apparatus required for oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans to transport GlcNAc and GlcN, and the benefit of consuming these compounds to its life style of causing human dental caries.

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Why is it important?

Two bacterial model systems, E. coli and B. subtilis, exist describing the molecular mechanisms involved in bacterial utilization of GlcNAc and conversely, production of GlcN-6-P for cell wall biogenesis. In both systems, a transcription regulator controls the catabolism of these sugars toward energy production, while the opposite process of GlcN-6-P synthesis is often regulated at the RNA level. S. mutans uses a single protein NagR to regulate the enzymes required for two opposing functions.