DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/9ZXJ-4576
Defense Date
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Microbiology & Immunology
First Advisor
Ping Xu
Abstract
The gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus sanguinis is a member of human indigenous oral microbialflora and has long been recognized as a key player in the bacterial colonization of the mouth. S. sanguinis is also the most common viridians streptococcal species implicated in infective endocarditis. Although many studies have focused on two-component systems in closely related Streptococcus species such as S. mutans, S. pneumoniae and S. gordonii; the mechanism of the response regulator in S. sanguinis is still unknown. The ability of S. sanguinis to adapt and thrive in hostile environments suggests this bacterium is capable of sensing and responding to various environmental stimuli. The present study clearly demonstrates that a number of RR genes, SSA_0204, SSA_0217, SSA_1810, SSA_1794, and SSA_1842, in S. sanguinis are essential to the recognition and response to various environmental stresses. Results from this study also identified genes SSA_0260, SSA_0261, and SSA-0262, involved in acidic tolerance and suppressed by SSA_0204 response regulator.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
September 2010