Dlt operon regulates physiological function and cariogenic virulence in Streptococcus mutans.

What is this summary about? Dental caries is a common oral disease that destroys teeth. Streptococcus mutans is the major pathogen of dental caries and its cariogenic virulence factors depend on the ability of biofilm formation, acid production and tolerance, stress response, and interspecific competitiveness. The dlt operon is responsible for the process of D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid and is related to the virulence of Gram-positive bacteria. To understand the role of the dlt operon in S. mutans, this review summarized this based on previous studies. What were the results? The dlt operon can regulate the D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid to affect the cell surface charge of S. mutans. The change in characteristics of the cell wall will affect the physiological functions of S. mutans, such as adhesion, biofilm formation, stress response, autolysis and interspecies competitiveness. However, the regulatory mechanism of the dlt operon is still unclear and needs further study. What do the results of the study mean? This review highlights the significant role of the dlt operon in S. mutans, which will increase the understanding of the cariogenic mechanism of S. mutans and provide new ideas for ecological caries prevention, such as the development of antibacterial agents targeting the dlt operon.