Association of fimbriae with the hydrophobicity of Streptococcus sanguis FC-1 and adherence to salivary pellicles.

A nonhydrophobic mutant of Streptococcus sanguis FC-1 was isolated which has a greatly diminished capacity for attaching to experimental salivary pellicles on hydroxyapatite surfaces and for aggregating with salivary components. The mutant appears to be defective in the synthesis of fimbriae, as judged by electron microscopic observations and by its inability to exhibit twitching motility.