Tuesday, July 1, 2025 7/1/2025

Role of Dispersin B in the colonization and virulence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Award Number: R21DE027125
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2018
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2022

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Role of Dispersin B in the colonization and virulence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans - Abs tract Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and other bacteria attach to biotic and abiotic surfaces and produce exopolysaccharides, which are used to immobilize the bacterial cells on these colonized surfaces forming a biofilm matrix. The exopolysaccharide produced by Aa is a homopolymer of N-acetyl-D- glucosamine (GlcNAc) with b-1,6-linked units (abbreviated as PGA). During biofilm growth, to overcome starvation associated with overpopulation, cells must disperse from a surface to move to distal surfaces to colonize further. This movement of released cells of Aa is facilitated by the hydrolytic action of Dispersin B (DspB), an enzyme produced by Aa, which releases cells that are enmeshed in the biofilm matrix. The product of PGA hydrolysis, GlcNAc, is present around the mature biofilm and could become a nutrient for Aa and other neighboring bacteria. In a multispecies biofilm where many bacteria co-habitat, Aa gains nutrients by positioning itself near the commensal bacterium, Streptococcus gordonii (Sg). In this scenario, Aa can utilize the lactate produced by Sg, a preferred carbon source, for its growth. In order to maintain the presence of Sg in its vicinity, in reciprocation, Aa supplies the neighboring Sg with GlcNAc through the action of DspB on PGA. Since GlcNAc is a preferred carbon source for Sg, both bacteria can survive by entering into a nutritional co-operation wherein both have an advantage for persistent colonization in the niche. It should be noted that mutualistic or cooperative cross-feeding between bacteria is favored in biofilms (2). Our hypothesis is that 1) PGA-derived GlcNAc, not exogenous GlcNAc, is important for the survival and colonization of Aa in the biofilm and metabolic cross-feeding relationship with Sg; 2) DspB is required for the virulence of Aa. We will test these hypotheses with the following Specific Aims: Specific Aim 1: a) Demonstrate that DspB is essential for the survival of Aa in a biofilm mode of growth. b) Demonstrate that DspB is essential to maintain the cross-feeding relationship and cooperative nutrient exchange with Sg. Specific Aim 2: Characterize the role of DspB in the colonization and virulence of Aa in the oral cavity.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2023	2019	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	110 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	2	4/3/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2021	2019	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	110 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	2	6/22/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $198,750 )
2019	2019	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	110 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	2	8/5/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$198,750
2019	2018	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	110 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	1	11/19/2018	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $198,750

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $238,500 )
2018	2018	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	110 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	1	8/28/2018	NEW	$238,500
2018	2018	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY	110 BERGEN ST	NEWARK	NJ	07103	ESSEX	USA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	1	8/29/2018	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $238,500

Grand Total All Awards = $437,250

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Role of Dispersin B in the colonization and virulence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Award Number: R21DE027125

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2018

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2022

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer