FIG 9.
Effects of the loop region of GbpC and AgI/II on biofilm formation of S. mutans. Wild-type S. mutans and the loop region deletion mutants (GbpC410–418Δ and AgI/II584–590Δ) (left) and their complemented strains (right) were evaluated for biofilm formation using crystal violet staining. The results show that the loop region of residues 410 to 418 of GbpC plays an important role in biofilm formation. Biofilm formation defects caused by GbpC and AgI/II deficiency can be recovered to wild-type levels by complementation.