Making a quantum leap in plaque research with modern sciences

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 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The current knowledge implicating Streptococcus mutans as a major cariogenic bacterium is mainly based on the correlation of human caries rates vs levels of S. mutans in oral cavities or the induction of dental caries via inoculation of . mutans in various animal models. This evidence is substantial but not conclusive as S. mutans is just one of the hundreds of species in oral cavity. Traditional approaches focused on single and dual species interactions are valuable but simply cannot provide the definitive answer on whether or not S. mutans is the "keystone cariogenic pathogen" responsible for maintaining or shifting the cariogenicity of the oral microbial community towards the disease state. In the previous cycle, we developed state-of-the-art technologies (such as metagenomic-guided community model development, combined SIP with real-time NMR metabolomics, bacterial surface-displayed pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein) that enabled simultaneous detection of oral bacteria (including uncultivable bacteria) and their acidic metabolites within multi-specie dental plaque in situ and in real-time. By connecting S. mutans' pheromone CSP to an antimicrobial peptide, we created a targeted antimicrobial peptide C16G2 with high specificity and sensitivity against S. mutans. We demonstrated its killing ability via selective membrane disruption and validated its safety. These recently developed tools provided new biological insights connecting key bacteria and functions to the cariogenic process in multi-species settings. The interesting and intriguing results derived from these studies provided a strong indication that S. mutans, with an ability to coordinate its three key cariogenic virulence factors (glucan production, acidogenicity and acidurity), can greatly enhance its fitness against acid stress, which could be the reason for its ability to disrupt the normal homeostasis of the oral microbial community and drive conditions towards a disease state. Based on our exciting preliminary data, we developed the following two working hypotheses to address these questions: 1) S. mutans has unique capacities to integrate its three major virulence factors (glucan production, acidogenicity and acidurity) to enhance its fitness in low pH than other oral species, which may be responsible for maintaining the cariogenic activity of the oral microbial community; 2) The targeted removal of S. mutans would allow the reestablishment of the healthy oral microbial community. This application aims to test our hypothesis using a combined genomic, genetic, biochemical and physiological study under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The success of this study would greatly expand our knowledge of oral microbial pathogenesis by uncovering integrated virulence functions that facilitate survival and persistence of S. mutans. It will also have a direct and immediate impact on the clinical management of dental caries through our new therapeutic interventions.