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Nutritional Control of Queuosine levels in Streptococcus mutans tRNAs
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  • Marshall Jaroch,
  • Kathryn Savage,
  • Paul Kuipers,
  • Jo Marie Bacusmo,
  • Jennifer Hu,
  • Jingjing Sun,
  • Peter Dedon,
  • Kelly Rice,
  • Valérie de Crécy-Lagard
Marshall Jaroch
University of Florida Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
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Kathryn Savage
University of Florida Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
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Paul Kuipers
University of Florida Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
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Jo Marie Bacusmo
University of Florida Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
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Jennifer Hu
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Biological Engineering
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Jingjing Sun
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Biological Engineering
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Peter Dedon
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Biological Engineering
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Kelly Rice
University of Florida Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
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Valérie de Crécy-Lagard
University of Florida Department of Microbiology and Cell Science

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Queuosine (Q) is a modification of the wobble base in tRNAs that decode NAC codons. It is ubiquitous in bacteria, including many pathogens. Streptococcus mutans is an early colonizer of dental plaque biofilm and a key player in dental caries. Using a combination of genetic and physiological approaches, the predicted Q synthesis and salvage pathways were validated in this organism. These experiments confirmed that S. mutans can synthesize Q de novo through similar pathways found in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. However, S. mutans has a distinct salvage pathway compared to these model organisms, as it uses a transporter belonging to the Energy Coupling Factor (ECF) family controlled by a preQ 1-dependent riboswitch. Furthermore, Q levels in this oral pathogen depended heavily on the media composition, suggesting that micronutrients can affect Q-mediated translation efficiency.
19 Aug 2024Submitted to Molecular Microbiology
20 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
20 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
20 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor