IrvA-dependent and IrvA-independent pathways for mutacin gene regulation inStreptococcus mutans

The Streptococcus mutans IrvR repressor is a CI-like regulator that functions through autocleavage and Clp-dependent proteolysis.

Previous work has shown that irvR is required for the proper regulation of genetic competence and dextran-dependent aggregation due to its ability to repress the transcription regulator irvA. In this study, we determined the mechanism used to relieve the repression of irvA. We demonstrate that IrvR is a "LexA-like" protein with four conserved amino acid residues likely required for IrvR autocle...

Mutacin II, a bactericidal antibiotic from Streptococcus mutans.

Mutacin II is an antibiotic that is produced by group II Streptococcus mutans. It inhibits the growth of other streptococci as well as many other gram-positive microorganisms by a hitherto unknown mechanism. Mutacin II possess bactericidal activity against susceptible cells. It transiently depolarizes the transmembrane electrical potential (delta psi) and the transmembrane pH gradient (delta pH...

Mutacin II, a Bactericidal Lantibiotic from Streptococcus mutans

MICHAEL L. CHIKINDAS,† JAN NOVÁK, ARNOLD J. M. DRIESSEN,* WIL N. KONINGS, KURT M. SCHILLING,‡ AND PAGE W. CAUFIELD Unilever Dental Research, Bebington L63 3JW, United Kingdom; Department of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294; and Department of Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of G...

Stat6-Dependent and -Independent Pathways

p53-Dependent and -Independent Pathways