The Association of Basic Proline-rich Peptides from Human Parotid Gland Secretions with Caries Experience

Abstract

To address whether there are associations between the peptide composition of human parotid saliva and dental decay (caries) experience, we have characterized the peptides from parotid ductal saliva collected from nine adults who have remained free from dental caries (mean age = 59.2; Decayed Missing Filled Surfaces index [DMFS] = 0) and nine individuals who have experienced caries (mean age = 51.2; mean DMFS = 38.4). Ethanol-soluble peptides were size-fractionated on columns of Bio-Gel P-2; the salivary peptides derived from caries-susceptible subjects appeared larger than those found in the saliva of caries-free subjects. Peptides were then resolved into 19 species by cation exchange HPLC. Sequence analysis identified 18 peptides that appear to be proteolytic cleavage products of the basic proline-rich proteins IB-4, IB-5, IB-7, IB-8b, and P-B. The peptides that were more abundant in saliva obtained from the caries-free group differed from those isolated from the caries-susceptible group. The median peptide concentration of one possible precursor protein, IB-7, was found to be higher in saliva collected from caries-free individuals than in that from caries-susceptible individuals. Although differences were found in the phenotypes of proline-rich proteins expressed by these groups of caries-free and caries-susceptible subjects, no statistically significant associations were observed among proline-rich phenotypes and the level of any peptide. Collectively, our results indicate that proteolytic processing of parotid salivary proteins differs among individuals who have remained caries-free and those who have experienced dental decay.

The Proteomes of Human Parotid and Submandibular/Sublingual Gland Salivas Collected as the Ductal Secretions

“…66 With regard to oral diseases, IL-1 polymorphisms appear to track with periodontal disease; 83,84 MUC7 levels in elderly patients predict Streptococcus mutans titers, 85 and proteolytic processing of parotid salivary proteins diverges among individuals with different caries experiences. 86 Sjögren's syndrome, which leads to hyposalivation, is associated with a rise in the concentration of several major salivary proteins. 87 Oral cancer is also associated with alterations in salivary composition.…”

Salivary proteins as biomarkers in dental caries: In vivo study

“…(2011) the proline rich proteins in whole saliva attach to S. mutans through major adhesion antigen and this particular immunogen mixture protects the tooth from caries [34][35][36]. Levine M (2011) explained that larger available basic proline rich proteins lead to increase in basic PRP residues which attach to the acid producing streptococci, thus neutralizing them.…”

Host-Derived Pentapeptide Affecting Adhesion, Proliferation, and Local pH in Biofilm Communities Composed of Streptococcus and Actinomyces Species

“…Accordingly, whereas the prevalent allelic variants of acidic PRPs (e.g., PRP-1) coincide with caries resistance and adhesion of commensal bacteria, the less prevalent Db variant coincides with caries susceptibility and the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (41), a caries-associated organism capable of producing high levels of acids from sucrose. In addition, small PRP-derived peptides are abundant in saliva and coincide also with cariesprone or -resistant subjects (2).…”