Key virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation: a systematic review
IntroductionStreptococcus mutans is central to plaque-induced oral diseases due to its robust biofilm-forming ability. Understanding the genetic and regulatory basis of this process is critical for developing targeted anti-virulence strategies that preserve the balance of the oral microbiome. This s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Oral Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1654428/full |
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| author | Dinda Kurnia Fitri Dinda Kurnia Fitri Nozimjon Tuygunov Wan Himratul Aznita Wan Harun Isty Adhitya Purwasena Arief Cahyanto Arief Cahyanto Myrna Nurlatifah Zakaria Myrna Nurlatifah Zakaria |
| author_facet | Dinda Kurnia Fitri Dinda Kurnia Fitri Nozimjon Tuygunov Wan Himratul Aznita Wan Harun Isty Adhitya Purwasena Arief Cahyanto Arief Cahyanto Myrna Nurlatifah Zakaria Myrna Nurlatifah Zakaria |
| author_sort | Dinda Kurnia Fitri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionStreptococcus mutans is central to plaque-induced oral diseases due to its robust biofilm-forming ability. Understanding the genetic and regulatory basis of this process is critical for developing targeted anti-virulence strategies that preserve the balance of the oral microbiome. This systematic review aims to gather and evaluate existing evidence on the virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation.MethodsA comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies investigating the genetic and regulatory mechanisms of biofilm formation, as well as the effects of experimental treatments, were included, and the risk of bias was assessed using the QUIN tool.ResultsKey virulence genes were identified, including glucosyltransferases (gtfB, gtfC, gtfD), glucan-binding proteins (gbpB, gbpC), and two-component systems (vicRK, liaSR). These genes contribute to adhesion, extracellular polysaccharide synthesis, and environmental adaptation, processes critical for biofilm development. Various anti-virulence strategies, such as quorum sensing inhibitors and gene-targeted compounds, show promise in controlling biofilm formation without compromising bacterial viability, thereby preserving the homeostasis of the normal oral flora, which is essential for maintaining overall oral health.ConclusionWhile key virulence genes have been well characterized, further research is needed to clarify how their regulation is influenced by environmental conditions. Insights from this review may support the development of novel therapeutic approaches that reduce Streptococcus mutans pathogenicity while maintaining oral microbial balance.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024577977, PROSPERO CRD42024577977. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ff74cad5b802407db26f18360ec694bb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-4842 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Oral Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-ff74cad5b802407db26f18360ec694bb2025-08-26T05:28:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oral Health2673-48422025-08-01610.3389/froh.2025.16544281654428Key virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation: a systematic reviewDinda Kurnia Fitri0Dinda Kurnia Fitri1Nozimjon Tuygunov2Wan Himratul Aznita Wan Harun3Isty Adhitya Purwasena4Arief Cahyanto5Arief Cahyanto6Myrna Nurlatifah Zakaria7Myrna Nurlatifah Zakaria8Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Jenderal Achmad Yani, Cimahi, IndonesiaFaculty of Dentistry, Kimyo International University in Tashkent, Tashkent, UzbekistanDepartment of Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, IndonesiaDepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab EmiratesCentre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab EmiratesIntroductionStreptococcus mutans is central to plaque-induced oral diseases due to its robust biofilm-forming ability. Understanding the genetic and regulatory basis of this process is critical for developing targeted anti-virulence strategies that preserve the balance of the oral microbiome. This systematic review aims to gather and evaluate existing evidence on the virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation.MethodsA comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies investigating the genetic and regulatory mechanisms of biofilm formation, as well as the effects of experimental treatments, were included, and the risk of bias was assessed using the QUIN tool.ResultsKey virulence genes were identified, including glucosyltransferases (gtfB, gtfC, gtfD), glucan-binding proteins (gbpB, gbpC), and two-component systems (vicRK, liaSR). These genes contribute to adhesion, extracellular polysaccharide synthesis, and environmental adaptation, processes critical for biofilm development. Various anti-virulence strategies, such as quorum sensing inhibitors and gene-targeted compounds, show promise in controlling biofilm formation without compromising bacterial viability, thereby preserving the homeostasis of the normal oral flora, which is essential for maintaining overall oral health.ConclusionWhile key virulence genes have been well characterized, further research is needed to clarify how their regulation is influenced by environmental conditions. Insights from this review may support the development of novel therapeutic approaches that reduce Streptococcus mutans pathogenicity while maintaining oral microbial balance.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024577977, PROSPERO CRD42024577977.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1654428/fullStreptococcus mutansvirulence genesbiofilm formationdental cariesdental plaqueglucosyltransferase |
| spellingShingle | Dinda Kurnia Fitri Dinda Kurnia Fitri Nozimjon Tuygunov Wan Himratul Aznita Wan Harun Isty Adhitya Purwasena Arief Cahyanto Arief Cahyanto Myrna Nurlatifah Zakaria Myrna Nurlatifah Zakaria Key virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation: a systematic review Frontiers in Oral Health Streptococcus mutans virulence genes biofilm formation dental caries dental plaque glucosyltransferase |
| title | Key virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation: a systematic review |
| title_full | Key virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Key virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Key virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation: a systematic review |
| title_short | Key virulence genes associated with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation: a systematic review |
| title_sort | key virulence genes associated with streptococcus mutans biofilm formation a systematic review |
| topic | Streptococcus mutans virulence genes biofilm formation dental caries dental plaque glucosyltransferase |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1654428/full |
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