Fluoride triggers lysis in Streptococcus mutans by inhibition of Clp protease complex leading to an unabated competence cascade
Aditya Banerjee, Sophie M. P. Pickelner, Faith Smith, Lívia Maria Andaló Tenuta, Randy B Stockbridge
This study identifies fluoride's mechanism of killing Streptococcus mutans by inhibiting Clp protease, leading to uncontrolled competence cascade and cell lysis.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Dec 11, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology