Identification of Streptoooocus gordoniigenes involved in recruiting Porphyromonas gingivatiscens into a multispecies biofilm

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Dental plaque biofilm formation proceeds through a developmental pathway initiated by the attachment of pioneer organisms, such as S. gordonii, to tooth surfaces. Through a variety of synergistic interactions, pioneer organisms facilitate the colonization of later arrivals including P. gingivalis, a potential periodontal pathogen. We have investigated genes of S. gordonii required to support a heterotypic biofilm- community with P gingivalis. By screening a plasmid integration library of S gordonii, genes were identified that are crucial for the accumulation of planktonic R gingivalis cells into a multispecies biofilm. These genes were further investigated by specific mutation and complementation analyses. The biofilm-associated genes can be grouped into broad categories based on putative function as follows: i) intercellular or intracellular signaling (cbe and spxB), ii) cell wall integrity and maintenance of adhesive proteins (murE, msrA and atf), iii) extracellular capsule biosynthesis (pgsA and atf), iv) physiology (gdhA, ccmA and ntpB). In addition, a gene for a hypothetical protein was identified. Biofilm visualization and quantitation by confocal microscopy confirmed the role of these genes in the maturation of the multispecies community, including biofilm architectural development. The results suggest that S. gordonii governs the development of heterotypic oral biofilms through multiple genetic pathways.