Biomaterial Database

Multicomponent nature of the glucosyltransferase system of Streptococcus mutans. 1976

J E Ciardi, and G J Hageage, and C L Wittenberger

The glucosyltransferases of S mutans 6715 were resolved into two major fractions. One fraction synthesized water-soluble glucans and the other made water-insoluble glucans. Each fraction was found by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be composed of several catalytically active species, apparently glycoprotein in nature. Treatment of the glucosyltransferases with dextranase in the absence of sucrose caused an interconversion of enzyme forms concomitant with a time-dependent loss of enzyme activity, but did not appear to remove significant amounts of the carbohydrate associated with the enzymes. Comparison of enzyme activity patterns on polyacrylamide gels of the five different S mutans serotypes further emphasizes the complexity of the glucosyltransferase system from this group of microorganisms.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011135	Polysaccharides, Bacterial	Polysaccharides found in bacteria and in capsules thereof.	Bacterial Polysaccharides
D002621	Chemistry	A basic science concerned with the composition, structure, and properties of matter; and the reactions that occur between substances and the associated energy exchange.
D003910	Dextranase	Enzyme that hydrolyzes DEXTRAN to OLIGOSACCHARIDES.	Endo-Dextranase,Glucanase 447-G,Endo Dextranase,Glucanase 447 G
D005964	Glucosyltransferases	Enzymes that catalyze the transfer of glucose from a nucleoside diphosphate glucose to an acceptor molecule which is frequently another carbohydrate. EC 2.4.1.-.	Glucosyltransferase
D012703	Serotyping	Process of determining and distinguishing species of bacteria or viruses based on antigens they share.	Serotypings
D012967	Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate	An anionic surfactant, usually a mixture of sodium alkyl sulfates, mainly the lauryl; lowers surface tension of aqueous solutions; used as fat emulsifier, wetting agent, detergent in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and toothpastes; also as research tool in protein biochemistry.	Sodium Lauryl Sulfate,Irium,Dodecyl Sulfate, Sodium,Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium,Sulfate, Sodium Dodecyl,Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl
D013291	Streptococcus	A genus of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria whose organisms occur in pairs or chains. No endospores are produced. Many species exist as commensals or parasites on man or animals with some being highly pathogenic. A few species are saprophytes and occur in the natural environment.
D013295	Streptococcus mutans	A polysaccharide-producing species of STREPTOCOCCUS isolated from human dental plaque.
D013395	Sucrose	A nonreducing disaccharide composed of GLUCOSE and FRUCTOSE linked via their anomeric carbons. It is obtained commercially from SUGARCANE, sugar beet (BETA VULGARIS), and other plants and used extensively as a food and a sweetener.	Saccharose
D055598	Chemical Phenomena	The composition, structure, conformation, and properties of atoms and molecules, and their reaction and interaction processes.	Chemical Concepts,Chemical Processes,Physical Chemistry Concepts,Physical Chemistry Processes,Physicochemical Concepts,Physicochemical Phenomena,Physicochemical Processes,Chemical Phenomenon,Chemical Process,Physical Chemistry Phenomena,Physical Chemistry Process,Physicochemical Phenomenon,Physicochemical Process,Chemical Concept,Chemistry Process, Physical,Chemistry Processes, Physical,Concept, Chemical,Concept, Physical Chemistry,Concept, Physicochemical,Concepts, Chemical,Concepts, Physical Chemistry,Concepts, Physicochemical,Phenomena, Chemical,Phenomena, Physical Chemistry,Phenomena, Physicochemical,Phenomenon, Chemical,Phenomenon, Physicochemical,Physical Chemistry Concept,Physicochemical Concept,Process, Chemical,Process, Physical Chemistry,Process, Physicochemical,Processes, Chemical,Processes, Physical Chemistry,Processes, Physicochemical