title: Binding characteristics of Streptococcus mutans for calcium and casein phosphopeptide.
abstract: Casein phosphopeptides (CPP) stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and may be used to localize ACP in dental plaque, maintaining a state of supersaturation with respect to tooth enamel, reducing demineralization and enhancing remineralization [Reynolds, J Dent Res 1997;76:1587-1595]. The aim of this paper is to investigate these effects by measuring the affinity and capacity of Streptococcus mutans for CPP-ACP. Using the equilibrium dialysis system described by Rose and Hogg [Biochim Biophys Acta 1995;1245:94-98], assessment of calcium binding by a plaque streptococcus at a fixed CPP-ACP concentration gives a series of CPP-ACP-influenced dissociation constants for calcium. These data can then be used to derive a true dissociation constant for CPP-ACP itself. The results demonstrate that CPP-ACP binds with about twice the affinity of the bacterial cells for calcium up to a value of 0. 16 g/g wet weight cells. Application of CPP-ACP to plaque may cause a transient rise in plaque fluid free calcium which may assist remineralization. Subsequently, CPP-ACP will form a source of readily available calcium to inhibit demineralization. Hence, CPP-ACP binds well to plaque, providing a large calcium reservoir, which is likely to restrict mineral loss during a cariogenic episode and provide a potential source of calcium for subsequent remineralization. Overall, once in place, CPP-ACP will restrict the caries process.
authors.affiliation: Division of Restorative Dentistry, The Dental School, Bristol, UK. Keith.Rose@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002364:Caseins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000378:metabolism*; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002364:Caseins; C519480:amorphous calcium phosphate; D002118:Calcium