West China Journal of Stomatology

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A Study on the Relationship between Genetic Diversity within Glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus mutans and Dental Caries

Chen Zhou,Liu Tianjia, Yang Jinbo, et al   

  1. Chen Zhou,Liu Tianjia, Yang Jinbo, et al West China College of Stomatology,Sichuan University Huang Xiaojing Affliated Stomatological Hospital,Fujian Medical University
  • Received:2002-12-25 Revised:2002-12-25 Online:2002-12-20 Published:2002-12-20

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to study the relationship between genetic diversity within glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus mutans and dental caries.Methods: The isolates were collected from patients of the caries-active group harbored the Streptococcus mutans strains producing higher water-insoluble glucans and patients of the caries-free group harbored the strains with lower water-insoluble ones. The gtfBC (961一5574 bp) of the DNA from isolates was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) .Genetic diversity of gtfBC~assessed using restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) with restriction endonucle- ases: Hinf工,Mbo I and Taq I .Results: The differences in the gtf PCR-RFLP patterns among strains~revealed when di- gested with几 rd l.The number of subjects harbored the longest band 1.9 kb pattern in the caries-active group was significantly ~than the caries-free group(P<0.05).Conclusion: The genetic diversity within glucosyltransferases of isolated strains might be related to differences in the production of water-insoluble glucans.

Key words: glucosyltransferases, Streptococcusmutans, caries