title: Enzymes in the in-situ pellicle of children with different caries activity.
abstract: The present study investigated, for the first time, enzymes in the in-situ pellicle of children. Furthermore, it was purposed to detect glucosyltransferase (GTF) isoforms in each child's pellicle. Twenty-four children (5-9 yr of age) participated in the study. Twelve were caries free with no decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft), whereas 12 had active caries (dmft ≥ 2, indicating at least two untreated carious lesions). Bovine enamel slabs, fixed on individual upper jaw splints, were utilized for pellicle formation in situ. After 3 and 30 min, samples were tested for amylase, lysozyme, and peroxidase activities; total GTF activity was examined only in the 30-min pellicle. Gold-immunolabelling was used to quantify the GTF B, C, and D isoforms in the pellicle by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All enzymes tested were detected in the children's in-situ pellicle in an active conformation, and there were no significant differences in their levels of activity between caries-free and caries-active children. All GTF isoforms were found to be randomly distributed within all pellicle layers, althoug GTF B was only detected very sporadically. A significantly higher amount of GTF D was detected in the pellicle of caries-active children. Pellicle formation in children is characterized by uniformity and selectivity. Glucosyltransferase D might represent a possible biomarker for high caries risk in children.
authors: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors: Susann
authors: S
authors: Grychtol
authors: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Viergutz
authors: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Pötschke
authors: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors: William H
authors: WH
authors: Bowen
authors: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors: Wiebke
authors: W
authors: Hoth-Hannig
authors: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors: Birgit
authors: B
authors: Leis
authors: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Umanskaya
authors: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Hannig
authors: Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Hannig
keywords: biofilm; children; enzymes; glucosyltransferases; pellicle