title: Electron-microscopic demonstration of proline-rich proteins, statherin, and histatins in acquired enamel pellicles in vitro.
abstract: Proline-rich proteins (PRPs), histatins, and statherin are salivary proteins that exhibit high affinities for hydroxyapatite surfaces. In vitro experiments with parotid submandibular/sublingual or whole saliva have shown these proteins to adsorb selectively to tooth surfaces. This investigation focuses on the histo-morphological identification of PRPs, histatins, and statherin in acquired enamel pellicles. Synthetic hydroxyapatite or bovine enamel were exposed to glandular secretions, and whole saliva and pellicle precursor proteins were identified immunohistologically by electron microscopy. Results obtained by back-scattered scanning electron microscopy showed these proteins to be present in pellicles. Pellicles displayed a distinct structure consisting of a sponge-like meshwork of microglobules. Interconnections between structural elements were identified in submandibular/sublingual and whole saliva pellicles only. Transmission electron microscopy of pellicles formed on bovine enamel surfaces revealed a tendency for preferential localization of precursor proteins within the protein film. Since the data showed the presence of pellicle precursors in pellicles derived both from glandular secretions and from whole saliva, it is likely that PRPs, histatins, and statherin are integral components of acquired enamel pellicles in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oral Microbiology and General Immunology, University of Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schüpbach
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Oppenheim
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lendenmann
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lamkin
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guggenheim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003741:Dental Deposits / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003743:Dental Enamel; D044622:Dental Pellicle; D017886:Durapatite; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D055232:Proline-Rich Protein Domains; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins; C018149:STATH protein, human; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein; D017886:Durapatite