A global transcription analysis of the influence of excessive zinc supplication on S. mutans

The oral cavity is a dynamic and extremely challenging environment characterized by a wide variety of bacterial species, saliva, and an irregular influx of nutrients including metal ions such as zinc. Given the dichotomy of zinc cations being essential yet if in excessive often toxic to cell, must therefore be strictly regulated by pathogens for them to persist and cause disease. Thus a global transcription analysis was conducted to illustrate the influence of excessive zinc supplication on S. mutans, the keystone pathogen of the development of dental caries.