title: Proteolytic activity of oral streptococci.
abstract: Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were the least proteolytic of 8 species of oral streptococci while Streptococcus oralis and Streptococcus sanguis were the most proteolytic. Degradation of FITC-BSA was significantly correlated with the hydrolysis of synthetic endopeptidase substrates. As S. oralis strains proliferate in dental plaque in the absence of dietary food their success, in vivo, might be due partially to their greater proteolytic activity compared to other oral streptococci.
authors.affiliation: Hunterian Dental Research Unit, London Hospital Medical College, U.K.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Homer
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Whiley
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beighton
mesh_terms: D002364:Caseins / Q000378:metabolism; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000378:metabolism; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000201:enzymology*; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D002364:Caseins; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D010450:Endopeptidases