Regulation of hexitol catabolism in Streptococcus mutans

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Abstract
Regulation of hexitol catabolism was investigated in S. mutans, a cariogenic human dental plaque bacterium. Induction of hexitol catabolic enzymes and phosphoenolpyruvate:hexitol phosphotransferase and hexitol phosphate dehydrogenase activities was regulated by an inducer exclusion mechanism initiated by D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Kinetic analysis of the inhibitory effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on initial hexitol uptake illustrated that this was a noncompetitive type of inhibition. In mutant strains of S. mutans lacking phosphoenolpyruvate:glucose phosphotransferase activity, 2-deoxy-D-glucose was unable to inhibit hexitol uptake. These observations provide evidence for possible molecular mechanisms for the exclusion process.

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