Genome sequencing and assembly of Streptococcus genomes

Host colonization by streptococci is facilitated by glycan binding in both healthy dental plaque and infective endocarditis. The variety of glycan binding specificity among different oral steptococcal species is currently unknown. In this study, streptococcal strains were isolated from the oral cavity of humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Isolates were tested for binding to sialoglycans via hemagglutination and sialoglycan microarray. Many unique glycan binding profiles were observed. Glycan binding profiles did not correlate with bacterial species or host species. Genome sequencing revealed that glycan binding profiles correlate with the predicted amino acid sequence of serine-rich repeat proteins, adhesins known to bind sialoglycans.