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Wiater, Adrian ; Szczodrak, Janusz
Publisher:Committee on Biotechnology PAS ; Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry PAS
Date issued/created: Description: Subject and Keywords: Abstract:Mutans streptococci Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus play central role inthe etiology of human dental caries due to their acidogenic potential and abilityto form extracellular water-insoluble and water-soluble glucans in the presenceof dietary sucrose. Streptococcal glucans are synthesized by a constitutive groupof extracellular and/or cell-associated enzymes showing glucosyltransferase(GTF) activity. Each enzyme has distinctive properties, varying in its requirement for a glucan primer molecule, the proportion of a(l-6)- and a(l-3)-linkages, the degree of branching it introduces into the glucan, and the total lengthofglucan chain produced. Moreover, the overall properties ofglucan depend onthe relative activity of different GTF enzymes, as well as on their interactions,since one GTF may modify the product of another. This review article presentsrecent trends in the investigations on streptococcal GTFs and glucans. Particular emphasis has been laid on catalytic properties and molecular structure ofdifferent GTFs and on the mechanism of synthesis of specific glucans. Furthermore, the role of these enzymes and their products in the pathogenesis of dental caries is also discussed.
Relation:Biotechnologia, vol.62, 3 (2003)-.
Volume: Issue: Start page: End page: Resource type: Detailed Resource Type: Format: Resource Identifier: Source:Library of Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry PAS
Language: Language of abstract: Temporal coverage: Rights:Creative Commons Attribution BY-SA 4.0 license
Terms of use: Digitizing institution:Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Science
Original in:Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Science
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