Proline-rich protein from S. mutans can perform a competitive mineralization function to enhance bacterial adhesion to teeth.

ABSTRACT: A proline-rich region was found in Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) surface antigen I/II (Ag I/II). The functions of this region were explored to determine its role in the cariogenic abilities of S. mutans; specifically, the proline-rich region was compared with human amelogenin. The full-length amelogenin genes were cloned from human (AmH) and surface antigen I/II genes from S. mutans. Then, the genes expressed and purified. We analyzed the structure and self-assembly ability of AmH and Ag I/II, compared their capacities to induce mineralization, and assessed the adhesion ability of S. mutans to AmH- and Ag I/II-coated tooth slices. AmH formed ordered chains and net frames in the early stage of protein self-assembly, while Ag I/II formed irregular and overlapping structures. AmH induced m

SUBMITTER: Tian K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9789152 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature