Oral Bacterium Breakthrough: Division into 14 Cells Simultaneously

In the realm of over 500 bacterial species thriving within the human oral cavity, Corynebacterium matruchotii, a type of bacteria, has unveiled a distinctive method of division.

Researchers from the American Marine Biological Laboratory and the Forsyth Institute of the American Dental Association published a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), revealing that Corynebacterium matruchotii can split into as many as 14 daughter cells in a single division, a departure from the typical binary fission process observed in most bacteria.

A video captured by the researchers showcases a Corynebacterium matruchotii cell dividing into multiple daughter cells, which subsequently initiate rapid division themselves. Researchers noted that no other known bacteria have been observed reproducing in this manner. This unique division strategy of Corynebacterium matruchotii may contribute to its rapid dominance within the human oral environment where it resides.

This bacterium, characterized as filamentous, is commonly found in dental plaque near the gum line. Through the utilization of time-lapse imaging techniques, researchers delved into the dynamic microbial community in the human oral cavity, uncovering the distinctive proliferation approach of Corynebacterium matruchotii.

The research team aims to delve deeper into how Corynebacterium matruchotii interacts with other oral bacteria by creating a biofilm, thereby influencing oral health outcomes.