Amylase Binding to Oral Streptococci: A Key Interaction for Human Oral Microbial Ecology, Adaptation and Fitness.

ABSTRACT: The interaction between human salivary alpha-amylase (HSAmy) and amylase-binding oral streptococci (ABS) helps determine the bacteria that colonize the oral cavity by establishing dental biofilms. Streptococci are important pioneer species of the oral cavity and influence oral health as well as common diseases such as dental caries. Various oral streptococcal species express distinct amylase-binding proteins, among which amylase-binding protein A (AbpA), encoded by the abpA gene in Streptococcus gordonii and several other species, which is the most extensively studied. Amylase binding facilitates microbial adhesion to host surfaces and biofilm formation and enables bacteria to harness the host's amylase enzymatic activity at their cell surface, enhancing their capacity to met

SUBMITTER: Sabharwal A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12650345 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature