Team:UT Dallas/project part2

From 2013.igem.org

Dextranase and Norspermidine

Dextranase How It works
     Another way to detect S. mutans in the mouth is to detect dextran through dextranase. Dextranase is an enzyme and surface protein that contains a binding domain for Dextran, a very complex, branched polymer of glucans. When Dextranase is on the surface of bacteria, it binds to Dextran and holds the polymer to the bacteria. We presently believe that Dextranase constitutively works as a surface protein in E. Coli.

What We Did
     By using dextranase, we may be able to keep E. Coli in close proximity to S. Mutans, thereby effectively delivering destructive factors to S. Mutans. The dex gene would be included in the E. Coli plasmid to transcribe as a surface protein.

NspC/Norspermidine

How It Works
     Norspermidine is a compound that breaks down biofilm by directly interacting with the exopolysaccharides of S. mutans. Norspermidine does this by interacting with charged or polar groups in secondary structure of the exopolysaccharide.

What We Did
     By determining the presence of S. Mutans in the mouth, we can deliver molecules to stop bacteria growth. We have now determined two ways to accomplish this:

By destroying the biofilm in which the S. Mutans grows through the action of NspC. The gene NspC codes for Norspermidine and could be added to our detection systems.

By tightly controlling the populations of S. Mutans through CSP and effectively killing most of the S. Mutans.

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