A Hypothetical Protein of Streptococcus mutans Is Critical for Biofilm Formation

Abstract
Inactivation of the Smu0630 gene of Streptococcus mutans resulted in dramatic decreases in biofilm formation, regardless of the carbohydrate source. The Smu0630 protein contained numerous interesting features, including a possible signal sequence and two conserved regions of repeated sequences. Smu0630 may represent a potential target for novel therapeutics.