Corncob structures in dental plaque reveal microhabitat taxon specificity

• DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01323-x
• Publication Date: 2022-09-05T19:02:52Z
• Authors: Viviana Morillo-L...; Alexandra Sjaarda; Imon Islam; Gary G. Borisy; Jessica L. Mark W...
• Keywords: Corncob; Medical microbiology; Dental plaque

The human mouth is a natural laboratory for studying how bacterial communities differ across habitats. Different bacteria colonize different surfaces in the mouth-teeth, tongue dorsum, and keratinized non-keratinized epithelia-despite short physical distance between these habitats their connection through saliva. We sought to determine whether more tightly defined microhabitats might have sets of resident bacteria. A microhabitat may be characterized, example, as space adjacent particular species bacterium. Corncob structures dental plaque, consisting coccoid bound filaments Corynebacterium cells, present an opportunity analyze community structure one such well-defined within complex biofilm. Here, we investigate by fluorescence situ hybridization spectral imaging composition cocci decorating filaments.The range taxa observed corncobs was limited small subset plaque. Among four major groups plaque streptococci, two were constituents corncobs, including that most abundant Streptococcus despite being relatively rare overall. Images showed both types all individual donors, suggesting ecological roles or mechanisms exist stabilizing persistence functionally redundant population. Direct taxon-taxon interactions not only cells central corncob filament but also other detected indicating ensembles involving well.The spatial organization suggests each microbial participants can interact with multiple, albeit limited, potential partners, feature encourage long-term stability community. Additionally, our results suggest general principle precisely will inhabited set taxa. Thus, are important understanding organizing principles biofilms lay groundwork future work modulate control health. Video Abstract.