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Glucosyltransferase Inactivation Reduces Dental Caries

Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 925 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641, USA

G. Mooser

Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 925 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641, USA, gmooser{at}hsc.usc.edu

Dental caries has been an intractable disease in spite of intense dental research. The metabolic acids produced by mutans streptococci demineralize the tooth surface and lead to dental caries. The enzyme glucosyltransferase (GTF) produced by mutans streptococci is the key factor in this process. Oral bacterial GTFs use sucrose as a substrate in synthesis of either water-soluble or insoluble glucans. In this investigation, kinetic studies with divalent metal ions revealed their strong binding affinity to GTF. The metal ions also proved to be strong inhibitors of the enzyme. Here we describe a simple method of inactivating the enzyme that actively participates in dental caries by taking advantage of a Fenton reaction which requires metal ions such as iron or copper and peroxide. The hydroxyl radical ions produced via the Fenton reaction inactivate GTF, a factor in the production of dental caries.

Key Words: dental caries • glucosyltransferase • inactivation.

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Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 80, No. 2, 466-469 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/00220345010800021301


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This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Devulapalle, K.S. Articles by Mooser, G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Devulapalle, K.S. Articles by Mooser, G. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB FERROUS SULFATE Social Bookmarking                         What's this?