The WhiA Regulon in Streptococcus mutans

To colonize their niches, bacteria grow and multiply by binary fission, which requires exquisite coordination and adequate nutrients. Previous studies have shown that WhiA is involved in cell division and related to metabolic sensing in Bacillus subtilis, however, its role in streptococci remains unknown. In the present study, we identified the homologue of WhiA in Streptococcus mutans, the regarded major cariogenic pathogen. We further characterized the role of WhiA in cell physiology, metabolism and global gene expression of S. mutans UA159 using a whiA in-frame deletion mutant. Our results suggest that WhiA plays an important role in carbohydrate transport and metabolism and may act as a regulator for environmental adaption in coordinating cell-cycle events.