d-Histidine inhibits Streptococcus mutans growth as a potential anti-caries agent

Background Dental caries is a bacterial-mediated infectious disease that affects the hard tissues of the tooth, with Streptococcus mutans being the primary cariogenic pathogen due to its robust biofilm-forming ability. Controlling biofilm formation is essential for caries prevention. Recent studies...

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Main Authors: Liuchang Yang, Yuxing Chen, Yaqi Chi, Xiaolin Chen, Yiran Zhao, Mingrui Zhang, Xuemeng Wang, Yongliang Li, Jie Nie, Xiaoyan Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Journal of Oral Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20002297.2025.2533174
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author Liuchang Yang
Yuxing Chen
Yaqi Chi
Xiaolin Chen
Yiran Zhao
Mingrui Zhang
Xuemeng Wang
Yongliang Li
Jie Nie
Xiaoyan Wang
author_facet Liuchang Yang
Yuxing Chen
Yaqi Chi
Xiaolin Chen
Yiran Zhao
Mingrui Zhang
Xuemeng Wang
Yongliang Li
Jie Nie
Xiaoyan Wang
author_sort Liuchang Yang
collection DOAJ
description Background Dental caries is a bacterial-mediated infectious disease that affects the hard tissues of the tooth, with Streptococcus mutans being the primary cariogenic pathogen due to its robust biofilm-forming ability. Controlling biofilm formation is essential for caries prevention. Recent studies have indicated that D-amino acids, which are not incorporated into proteins, play regulatory roles in bacterial processes such as growth inhibition and biofilm dispersal. However, whether D-amino acids can inhibit the growth of S. mutans remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effects of D-amino acids on S. mutans growth and biofilm formation in vitro, as well as their anti-caries efficacy in a rat caries model.Materials and Methods This study utilized Streptococcus mutans UA159 to screen 15 D-amino acids for growth inhibition, identifying D-histidine (D-His) as the most effective. Minimum inhibitory concentration, growth curves, biofilm assays, and transcriptomic analysis were performed in vitro. Anti-caries efficacy was evaluated in a rat model using Micro-CT and Keyes scoring.Results D-His significantly inhibits the planktonic growth of S. mutans and delays biofilm formation, particularly in the early stages. Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed 417 upregulated genes and 394 downregulated genes in D-His-treated S. mutans, with significant alterations in pathways related to carbohydrate utilization, protein biosynthesis, and transmembrane transport. Moreover, D-His exhibited effective caries prevention in an in vivo rat model.Conclusion These findings suggest that D-His has potential as an anti-caries agent by targeting S. mutans growth and biofilm dynamics.
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series Journal of Oral Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-909d8ef6a1b94dc393044e10ea4ffd0c2025-08-20T03:30:19ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Oral Microbiology2000-22972025-12-0117110.1080/20002297.2025.2533174d-Histidine inhibits Streptococcus mutans growth as a potential anti-caries agentLiuchang Yang0Yuxing Chen1Yaqi Chi2Xiaolin Chen3Yiran Zhao4Mingrui Zhang5Xuemeng Wang6Yongliang Li7Jie Nie8Xiaoyan Wang9Department of Cariology and Endodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Cariology and Endodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Cariology and Endodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Cariology and Endodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Cariology and Endodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Stomatology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, ChinaDepartment of Cariology and Endodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Cariology and Endodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Cariology and Endodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Cariology and Endodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices & Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology & NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, ChinaBackground Dental caries is a bacterial-mediated infectious disease that affects the hard tissues of the tooth, with Streptococcus mutans being the primary cariogenic pathogen due to its robust biofilm-forming ability. Controlling biofilm formation is essential for caries prevention. Recent studies have indicated that D-amino acids, which are not incorporated into proteins, play regulatory roles in bacterial processes such as growth inhibition and biofilm dispersal. However, whether D-amino acids can inhibit the growth of S. mutans remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effects of D-amino acids on S. mutans growth and biofilm formation in vitro, as well as their anti-caries efficacy in a rat caries model.Materials and Methods This study utilized Streptococcus mutans UA159 to screen 15 D-amino acids for growth inhibition, identifying D-histidine (D-His) as the most effective. Minimum inhibitory concentration, growth curves, biofilm assays, and transcriptomic analysis were performed in vitro. Anti-caries efficacy was evaluated in a rat model using Micro-CT and Keyes scoring.Results D-His significantly inhibits the planktonic growth of S. mutans and delays biofilm formation, particularly in the early stages. Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed 417 upregulated genes and 394 downregulated genes in D-His-treated S. mutans, with significant alterations in pathways related to carbohydrate utilization, protein biosynthesis, and transmembrane transport. Moreover, D-His exhibited effective caries prevention in an in vivo rat model.Conclusion These findings suggest that D-His has potential as an anti-caries agent by targeting S. mutans growth and biofilm dynamics.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20002297.2025.2533174Dental cariesStreptococcus mutansD-amino acidsD-histidineanti-caries agent
spellingShingle Liuchang Yang
Yuxing Chen
Yaqi Chi
Xiaolin Chen
Yiran Zhao
Mingrui Zhang
Xuemeng Wang
Yongliang Li
Jie Nie
Xiaoyan Wang
d-Histidine inhibits Streptococcus mutans growth as a potential anti-caries agent
Journal of Oral Microbiology
Dental caries
Streptococcus mutans
D-amino acids
D-histidine
anti-caries agent
title d-Histidine inhibits Streptococcus mutans growth as a potential anti-caries agent
title_full d-Histidine inhibits Streptococcus mutans growth as a potential anti-caries agent
title_fullStr d-Histidine inhibits Streptococcus mutans growth as a potential anti-caries agent
title_full_unstemmed d-Histidine inhibits Streptococcus mutans growth as a potential anti-caries agent
title_short d-Histidine inhibits Streptococcus mutans growth as a potential anti-caries agent
title_sort d histidine inhibits streptococcus mutans growth as a potential anti caries agent
topic Dental caries
Streptococcus mutans
D-amino acids
D-histidine
anti-caries agent
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20002297.2025.2533174
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