SPECIFICITY OF CELLULAR INTERACTION IN STREPTOCOCCUS MITIS ATCC 903. INHIBITION OF AGGREGATION BY CARBOHYDRATES

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Abstract
To demonstrate the specificity of cellular interaction in the spontaneous aggregation of S. mitis ATCC 903 the inhibitory effect of various sugars was studied; > 90% inhibition was recorded in 0.1 M concentrations of D-glucosamine, D-galactosamine and D-mannosamine. A reduction of the inhibition by > 50% was observed when the N-acetylated derivatives of the hexosamines were tested. Polymers containing hexosamines such as hyaluronic acid, heparin and fetuin were potent inhibitors, in contrast to dextran of different MW. Inhibition was < 20% in lactose, melibiose, cellobiose, methyl .beta.-D-galactopyranoside and a number of other sugars tested in 0.1 M concentration. The bacteria retained their ability to aggregate after removal of the inhibitory sugars by washing in PO43- buffer. Evidently, the specific nature of the spontaneous aggregation of S. mitis ATCC 903 depends on a lectin-ligand type interaction. [Studies of bacterial aggregation are relevant for the development of a model for interaction in the oral cavity which may lead to development of dental plaque.].