Abstract

Comparison of gene expression profiles between static and shake culture in Rothia mucilaginosa Tadashi Furumori, Kazuyoshi Yamane and Pao­Li Wang（Dept. Bacteriology, Osaka Dental Univ.） Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor contributing to the chronicity of oral infections. Biofilms are formed by microbial cells embedded in exopolysaccharides（EPS）. We isolated EPS­producing Rothia mucilaginosa（strain DY­18）from a persistent apical periodontitis lesion. In this study, gene expression of strain DY­18 in the biofilm mode of growth was compared to that in the planktonic mode using microarray analysis. The results suggest that the genes encoding DNA polymerase III subunit beta,signal transduction histidine kinase, and molecular chaperone DnaK were significantly up­regulated in the biofilm mode. These genes might contribute to the biofilm formation of strain DY­18.