Streptococcus mutans Extracellular DNA Is Upregulated during Growth in Biofilms, Actively Released via Membrane Vesicles, and Influenced by Components of the Protein Secretion Machinery

It is demonstrated that S. mutans produces eDNA by multiple avenues, including lysis-independent membrane vesicles, and deficiency of protein secretion and membrane protein insertion machinery components caused significant reductions in eDNA.