title: Histatin peptides: Pharmacological functions and their applications in dentistry.
abstract: There are many human oral antimicrobial peptides responsible for playing important roles including maintenance, repairing of oral tissues (hard or soft) and defense against oral microbes. In this review we have highlighted the biochemistry, physiology and proteomics of human oral histatin peptides, secreted from parotid and submandibular salivary glands in human. The significance of these peptides includes capability for ionic binding that can kill fungalCandida albicans. They have histidine rich amino acid sequences (7-12 family members; corresponding to residues 12-24, 13-24, 12-25, 13-25, 5-11, and 5-12, respectively) for Histatin-3. However, Histatin-3 can be synthesized proteolytically from histatin 5 or 6. Due to their fungicidal response and high biocompatibility (little or no toxicity), these peptides can be considered as therapeutic agents with most probable applications for example, artificial saliva for denture wearers and salivary gland dysfunction conditions. The objectives of current article are to explore the human histatin peptides for its types, chemical and biological aspects. In addition, the potential for therapeutic bio-dental applications has been elaborated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Biomaterials, College of Dentistry, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Zohaib
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khurshid
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Shariq
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Najeeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mali
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Proteomics, Karachi University, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Faraz
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Moin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Research and Consulting, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Syed Qasim
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Raza
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zohaib
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medical Engineering, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.
authors.forename: Farshid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sefat
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Muhammad Sohail
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Zafar
keywords: Antifungal activity; Histatin; Oral cavity; Saliva