Biomaterial Database

The role of fructans on dental biofilm formation by Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus gordonii and Actinomyces viscosus. 2001

R Rozen, and G Bachrach, and M Bronshteyn, and I Gedalia, and D Steinberg

Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.

Dental plaque biofilm plays a pivotal role in the progression of dental diseases. Polysaccharides are of great importance in the ecology of the dental biofilm. We studied the effect of fructans, glucans and a mixture of both fructans and glucans, synthesized in situ by immobilized fructosyltransferase or glucosyltransferase, on the adhesion of Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus gordonii and Actinomyces viscosus to hydroxyapatite beads coated with human saliva (sHA). The adhesion of A. viscosus to sHA was found to be fructan-dependent. Adhesion of both S. sobrinus and S. mutans was found to be mediated mainly by glucans, while the adhesion of S. gordonii was found to be both glucan- and fructan-dependent. Treatment with fructanase prior to A. viscosus adhesion resulted in a significant reduction in adhesion to sHA, while adhesion of S. sobrinus, S. mutans and S. gordonii was slightly influenced by fructanase treatment. Treatment with fructanase after adhesion of S. gordonii to sHA resulted in a significant reduction in their adhesion to sHA. Our results show that fructans may play a role in the adhesion and colonization of several cariogenic bacteria to sHA, thus contributing to the formation of dental plaque biofilm.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003773	Dental Plaque	A film that attaches to teeth, often causing DENTAL CARIES and GINGIVITIS. It is composed of MUCINS, secreted from salivary glands, and microorganisms.	Plaque, Dental
D005630	Fructans	Polysaccharides composed of D-fructose units.	Fructan,Levans
D005936	Glucans	Polysaccharides composed of repeating glucose units. They can consist of branched or unbranched chains in any linkages.	Glucan,Polyglucose,Polyglucoses,Glucan (BO),Glucose Polymer,Polycose,Polymer, Glucose
D006026	Glycoside Hydrolases	Any member of the class of enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of the glycosidic linkage of glycosides and the addition of water to the resulting molecules.	Endoglycosidase,Exoglycosidase,Glycohydrolase,Glycosidase,Glycosidases,Glycoside Hydrolase,Endoglycosidases,Exoglycosidases,Glycohydrolases,Hydrolase, Glycoside,Hydrolases, Glycoside
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006882	Hydroxyapatites	A group of compounds with the general formula M10(PO4)6(OH)2, where M is barium, strontium, or calcium. The compounds are the principal mineral in phosphorite deposits, biological tissue, human bones, and teeth. They are also used as an anticaking agent and polymer catalysts. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Hydroxyapatite Derivatives,Derivatives, Hydroxyapatite
D001422	Bacterial Adhesion	Physicochemical property of fimbriated (FIMBRIAE, BACTERIAL) and non-fimbriated bacteria of attaching to cells, tissue, and nonbiological surfaces. It is a factor in bacterial colonization and pathogenicity.	Adhesion, Bacterial,Adhesions, Bacterial,Bacterial Adhesions
D001426	Bacterial Proteins	Proteins found in any species of bacterium.	Bacterial Gene Products,Bacterial Gene Proteins,Gene Products, Bacterial,Bacterial Gene Product,Bacterial Gene Protein,Bacterial Protein,Gene Product, Bacterial,Gene Protein, Bacterial,Gene Proteins, Bacterial,Protein, Bacterial,Proteins, Bacterial
D012463	Saliva	The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the SALIVARY GLANDS and mucous glands of the mouth. It contains MUCINS, water, organic salts, and ptylin.	Salivas
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.