ComDE Two-Component Signal Transduction Systems in Oral Streptococci: Structure and Function

Oral streptococci depend on two-component signal transduction systems (TCSs), the most widespread regulatory systems in bacteria, to detect and respond to diverse stresses in oral environment. Among the larger panel of TCSs equipped by oral streptococci, ComDE TCS is thought to be one of the most classical TCSs. So far, it has been proved that ComDE TCS could play critical roles in environmental stress responses to acid, antibiotic, oxidative pressures and so on, and modulating multiple virulence traits like biofilm formation, bacteriocin production, competence, autolysis. Here, the well characterized Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus pneumoniae are chosen as the representative species to introduce the composition, signaling pathways and regulated phenotypes of ComDE TCS in oral streptococci. The potential ComDE TCS-targeted antimicrobial applications are also discussed at last.