Genotype, biofilm formation ability and specific gene transcripts characteristics of endodontic Enterococcus faecalis under glucose deprivation condition

•The genotypes of E. faecalis wild strains of persistent periapical periodontitis teeth with the same clinical manifestations are different.•The genotype differences are correlated with the biological phenotype, such as the biofilm formation ability.•The transcription levels of the related virulence genes (ace, gelE, efa, esp and fsrB) are also correlated with the biofilm formation ability. To study the relationship between the specific gene and biofilm formation ability of seven wild type Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) under glucose deprivation conditions. Wild type E. faecalis (3RC, 5RC, 25RC, 31RC, 33RC, 37RC, 58RC) extracted from the teeth with persistent apical periodontitis were cultured under glucose deprivation conditions and then resequenced. The biofilm formation ability was compared using primary adherence assay, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The transcriptional level of biofilm formation–related genes (ace, gelE, efa, esp and fsrB) were detected. Genomic resequencing showed that 3RC and 58RC (Class B) were similar, while 5RC, 25RC, 31RC, 33RC and 37RC (Class A) were similar. Based on primary adherence assay, CLSM and SEM results, biofilm formation ability of Class B strains was lower, while Class A strains were higher when compared with control group (0.25 % glucose). Furthermore, compared with control group (0.25 % glucose), the transcriptional levels of ace, efa and fsrB genes were upregulated in all strains; the transcriptional levels of gelE were downregulated in Class B strains, upregulated in Class A strains; the transcriptional levels of esp of Class B strains were downregulated, while upregulated in 25RC, 31RC and 37RC (Class A), and not observed in 5RC and 33RC. The genotypes of wild type E. faecalis of different persistent periapical periodontitis teeth are different. The genotype differences and the transcription levels of related virulence genes (ace, gelE, efa, esp and fsrB) are related to the biological phenotype.