ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the impact of glutathione S-transferase (GST) on the environmental adaptability ofStreptococcus mutans(S. mutans).MethodsA GST knockout strain ΔgsT was constructed. Transcriptomic sequencing was performed to analyze the gene expression differences between the wild-typeS. mutansUA159 and its GST knockout strain ΔgsT. Comprehensive functional assessments, including acid tolerance assays, hydrogen peroxide challenge assays, nutrient limitation growth assays, and fluorescence in situ hybridization, were conducted to evaluate the acid tolerance, antioxidant stress resistance, growth kinetics, and interspecies competitive ability of ΔgsT within plaque biofilms.ResultsCompared with the wild-typeS. mutans, 198 genes in ΔgsT were significantly differentially expressed and enriched in pathways related to metabolism, stress response, and energy homeostasis. The survival rate of ΔgsT in acid tolerance assays was markedly reduced (P<0 .01). after 15 min of hydrogen peroxide challenge, the survival rate of δgst decreased to 38.12% (wild type, 71.75%). under nutrient-limiting conditions, δgst exhibited a significantly lower final od600value than the wild-type strain (P<0 .05). in the biofilm competition assays, the proportion ofS. mutansΔgsT in the mixed biofilm (8.50%) was significantly lower than that of the wild type (16.89%) (P<0 .05).ConclusionGST enhances the acid resistance, oxidative stress tolerance, and nutrient adaptation ofS. mutansby regulating metabolism-related and stress response-related genes.
