The genes encoding α-1,3-glucanases (Agls; AglST1 and AglST2) from Streptomyces thermodiastaticus HF3-3 were cloned and were then expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami B (DE3). We purified the resultant histidine (His)-tagged α-1,3-glucanases (recombinant enzymes, rAglST1 and rAglST2). Both the recombinant enzymes were similar to the wild-type enzymes. We examined the effects of rAglST1 and rAglST2 on the formation and degradation of biofilms on glass plates with Streptococcus mutans NRBC 13955 by evaluating the biofilm content (%), release of reducing sugar (mM), release of S. mutans (log CFU/mL), and the biofilm structure using laser scanning microscopy (LSM). The results showed that after incubation for 16 h, rAglST1 and rAglST2 reduced the formation of biofilm to 52% and 49% of the control, respectively. The result may reflect the fact that the concentration of the reducing sugar and the number of S. mutans cells in the rAglATs-added medium were higher than in the control medium. After an 8-h treatment with rAglST1 and rAglST2, biofilms decreased to less than 60% of the control. The number of S. mutans cells in the reaction mixture gradually increased during the incubation period. The enzymes can degrade the biofilms that were pre-formed on the glass plate by more than 50% after a 30-min incubation in the presence of toothpaste ingredients (1% w/v of sodium fluoride, benzethonium chloride, and sodium dodecyl sulfate) at 50°C. Our study showed that rAglST1 and rAglST2 have advantageous properties for dental care applications.
Keywords: Streptomyces thermodiastaticus; biofilm; degradation; prevention; α-1,3-glucanase.