Effect of Human Lysozyme on 2-Deoxyglucose Uptake by Streptococcus mutans and Other Oral Microorganisms

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effect of human urinary lysozyme (HUL) on 14C-2-deoxyglucose (14C-2DG) incorporation by a total of 20 strains of oral microorganisms, representing Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mitis and Lactobacillus casei was examined. The results showed a decreased 14C-2DG uptake rate ( < 90% compared to controls) by 16 strains after 30-min preincubation at 37 °C with HUL at a concentration corresponding to 20 μg/ml hen egg-white lysozyme. The extent of reduction was dependent on the preincubation time with HUL. Some S. mutans strains of serotype b, c and e exhibited a significantly diminished rate of sugar incorporation during a 5-min time course when HUL was added simultaneously with 2DG. Three strains of S. mutans (E49, B13 and 6715) and S. mitis ATCC 903 were unaffected or exhibited consistently increased 14C-2DG uptake. Our data indicate that lysozyme can interfere with the sugar-transporting mechanisms of the bacterial cell membrane and may be of importance in limiting glycolysis in oral bacteria.