{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Two-dimensional electrophoresis study of in vitro pellicle formation and dental caries susceptibility.
{Author}: Vitorino R;de Morais Guedes S;Ferreira R;Lobo MJ;Duarte J;Ferrer-Correia AJ;Tomer KB;Domingues PM;Amado FM;
{Journal}: Eur J Oral Sci
{Volume}: 114
{Issue}: 2
{Year}: Apr 2006
{Factor}: 2.16
{DOI}: 10.1111/j.1600-0722.2006.00328.x
{Abstract}: In the present study, a proteomic approach was applied to evaluate the influence of salivary protein composition on in vitro dental pellicle formation and its possible correlation with dental caries. Whole saliva, collected from caries-free and caries-susceptible subjects, was analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry. Data analysis of salivary protein composition showed a statistically significant correlation between the quantity of acidic proline-rich proteins (PRPs), lipocalin, cystatin SN and cystatin S, and samples from the caries-free group of subjects [decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) = 0]. Samples from subjects with a high DMFT index appear to be correlated with high levels of amylase, immunoglobulin A, and lactoferrin. In vitro pellicle-composition experiments showed the same correlations found for whole saliva. As cystatins are known physiological inhibitors of cathepsins, the higher quantities of lipocalin, and cystatins S and SN found in the samples from the caries-free subjects suggest that inhibition of proteolytic events on other salivary proteins may indirectly provide tooth protection. The correlation between higher levels of the phosphorylated acidic PRPs 1/2 with samples from the caries-free group also suggests a protective role for these proteins.