Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) Detected in the gbpC Gene Coding Region of Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans glucan-binding protein C encoded by the gbpC gene is an important virulent factor in human dental caries. However, a nonsense mutation and several nucleotide substitutions in the gbpC gene have been detected in strain GS-5. Therefore, gbpC nucleotide sequences from 17 additional S. mutans strains were determined and single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected. Both conserved and polymorphic regions of the gbpC gene will be useful for estimation of functional domains of GbpC protein and identification of S. mutans strains.