Salivary Antimicrobial Peptide Histatin-5 Does Not Display Zn(II)-Dependent or -Independent Activity against Streptococci.

ABSTRACT: Histatin-5 (Hst5) is a member of the histatin superfamily of cationic, His-rich, Zn(II)-binding peptides in human saliva. Hst5 displays antimicrobial activity against fungal and bacterial pathogens, often in a Zn(II)-dependent manner. In contrast, here we showed that under in vitro conditions that are characteristic of human saliva, Hst5 does not kill seven streptococcal species that normally colonize the human oral cavity and oropharynx. We further showed that Zn(II) does not influence this outcome. We then hypothesized that Hst5 exerts more subtle effects on streptococci by modulating Zn(II) availability. We initially proposed that Hst5 contributes to nutritional immunity by limiting nutrient Zn(II) availability and promoting bacterial Zn(II) starvation. By examining the interacti

SUBMITTER: Stewart LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10012264 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature