Effect of a protease derived from the oral bacterium Bacteroides loescheii on the inhibition of calcium-phosphate precipitation by human parotid saliva.
A protease from the culture fluid of this microorganism was purified and characterized using DEAE-Sephadex and chromatofocusing and classified as a thiol protease with a mol. wt estimated as 27,500. It abolished the inhibitory activity of parotid saliva on the precipitation of calcium phosphate from supersaturated solutions. Such proteases may contribute to dental calculus formation.
D001439:Bacteroides / Q000201:enzymology*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases