Growth inhibition of oral streptococci in saliva by anionic proteins from two caries-free individuals.
Mixed saliva from two caries-free individuals possessed antimicrobial activity toward Streptococcus mutans and S. sanguis. This inhibitory activity was attributed to the presence of a group of four anionic proteins each of which strongly inhibited the growth of the oral streptococci in a saliva protein-based medium but not in a medium containing amino acids as a nitrogen source. These proteins, with isoelectric points of 4.70, 4.90, 4.98, and 5.05, respectively, neither reacted with antisera to immunoglobulin A, G, or M nor appeared to be functionally related to a number of salivary peroxidases, lactoferrin, or lysozyme. On this basis, they may represent a previously unreported group of growth-inhibitory antimicrobial factors occurring in the saliva of some individuals.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000838:Anions; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000254:growth & development*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000254:growth & development; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000254:growth & development
D000838:Anions; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides