Presence of an Invertase-Like Enzyme and a Sucrose Permeation System in Strains of Streptococcus mutans

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Abstract
Enzyme preparations obtained from sonically-treated washed cells of Streptococcus mutans strain GS5 were found to contain ‘sucrase’ activity which was distinct from that of the glucosyl and fructosyl transferases known to be elaborated by this organism. This ‘sucrase’ activity was formed constitutively and could be separated from transferase activity by agarose chromatography. The enzyme appears similar, if not identical, to invertase on the basis of its catalytic action, its molecular size, and its heat sensitivity. Its presence in cells of Strep, mutans strain GS5 indicates that this organism is not solely dependent upon the glucosyl and fructosyl transferases for the utilization of sucrose for growth. The total observable ‘sucrase’ activity of glucose grown cells of Strep, mutans strains GS5 and 6715 was found to increase markedly when the organisms were treated with toluene, indicating they were relatively impermeable to sucrose. Untreated sucrose grown cells exhibited 10-fold higher total ‘sucrase’ activity than did untreated glucose grown cells, suggesting that growth in sucrose broth resulted in the induction of a sucrose transport system.

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