Mutanofactin - A molecular adhesive in cariogenic microbial biofilms?

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent global chronic diseases. It is intimately linked to the establishment of a dysbiotic oral biofilm consortium on the tooth surface (dental plaque) among which Streptococcus mutans plays a key role, and many of the bacterium’s macromolecules involved in biofilm establishment have been investigated. Mutanofactin is a very recently identified secondary metabolite of S. mutans suggested to increase its cell surface hydrophobicity thereby promoting cell adhesion and biofilm formation. However, detailed insight into the molecular mechanism of mutanofactin action and its scope has not been achieved. This project will explore a new molecular mechanism underlying cariogenic biofilm development triggered by S. mutans-produced mutanofactin. It is pivotal to understand the physicochemical and microbiological implications of mutanofactin to obtain a comprehensive picture. This requires setting up biological systems of step-wise increasing complexity using defined components and methods for analytics and monitoring from the molecular to the biofilm level. The project design is based on a unique combination of synthetic, microbiological and physicochemical approaches, including de novo synthesis and novel techniques to characterize bacterial cell surface properties and biofilm matrix interactions. This project might lead to effective anti-cariogenic strategies urgently needed for human health and to reduce the global economic burden of tooth decay.