biostudies-literatureUnknown12(1)Tian KA 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 mScientific reports22250https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9789152biostudies-literatureProline-rich protein from S. mutans can perform a competitive mineralization function to enhance bacterial adhesion to teeth.PMC9789152Zhou MRen XTian KDu QGuo JChen YXiao CfalseProline-rich protein from S. mutans can perform a competitive mineralization function to enhance bacterial adhesion to teeth.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 m2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Dec2026-07-14T17:37:18.079Z2025-02-19T03:01:04.854ZS-EPMC97891523656447410.1038/s41598-022-26303-x