Isolation of a Streptococcus mutans strain producing a novel bacteriocin

Abstract
A strain of S. mutans was isolated that produces a bacteriocin with novel properties. Its antibiotic spectrum includes 123 of 124 strains of S. mutans tested and a variety of other gram-positive microorganisms. Experiments with dialysis membranes indicate that the MW of the bacteriocin is < 1000. Mutants of the producer strain were obtained that are deficient in bacteriocin production or produce 2-fold elevated amounts. The ability of these strains to superinfect or preemptively colonize the oral cavities of rats correlated with the amount of bacteriocin they produced.

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