Numerous cellular processes are regulated in response to the metabolic state of the cell, and one such regulatory mechanism involves lysine acetylation. Lysine acetylation has been proven to play an important role in the virulence of Streptococcus mutans, a major cariogenic bacterial species. S. mutans’ glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) are responsible for synthesizing extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) and contributing to biofilm formation. One of the most common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), which can acetylate proteins through a nonenzymatic transacetylation reaction. Herein, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ASA on S. mutans. ASA treatment was observed to impede the growth of S. mutans, leading to a reduction in the production of water-insoluble EPS and the formation of biofilm. Moreover, ASA decreased the enzyme activity of Gtfs while increasing the protein acetylation level. The in vivo anticaries efficacy of ASA has further been proved using the rat caries model. In conclusion, ASA as an acetylation agent attenuated the cariogenic virulence of S. mutans, suggesting the potential value of protein acetylation on antimicrobial and anti-biofilm applications to S. mutans.

中文翻译：

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通过蛋白质乙酰化抑制变形链球菌生长和生物膜形成

许多细胞过程根据细胞的代谢状态进行调节，其中一种调节机制涉及赖氨酸乙酰化。赖氨酸乙酰化已被证明在变形链球菌（一种主要的致龋菌）的毒力中发挥重要作用。变形链球菌的葡萄糖基转移酶 (Gtfs) 负责合成胞外多糖 (EPS) 并有助于生物膜的形成。最常见的非甾体抗炎药之一是乙酰水杨酸（ASA），它可以通过非酶促乙酰化反应使蛋白质乙酰化。在此，我们研究了 ASA 对变形链球菌的抑制作用。据观察，ASA 处理可阻碍变形链球菌的生长，导致水不溶性 EPS 的产生减少和生物膜的形成。此外，ASA 降低了 Gtfs 的酶活性，同时增加了蛋白质乙酰化水平。利用大鼠龋齿模型进一步证明了ASA的体内防龋功效。总之，ASA 作为乙酰化剂减弱了变形链球菌的致龋毒力，表明蛋白质乙酰化在变形链球菌的抗菌和抗生物膜应用中具有潜在价值。