Journal of Dental Research, Vol 65, 1332-1334, Copyright © 1986 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Evidence suggesting multiple binding sites in experimental pellicles for Streptococcus mutans JBP
W. J. Peros and R. J. Gibbons
Forsyth Dental Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
This study presents evidence suggesting that multiple binding sites exist
for S. mutans JBP (serotype c) in experimental salivary pellicles formed on
hydroxyapatite surfaces. Adsorption isotherms were performed using S.
mutans JBP cells at concentrations ranging from 1-1000 (x 10(7)
streptococci per mL to pellicles prepared from whole clarified saliva and
from saliva which had been previously absorbed with JBP cells. The
isotherms were analyzed using a one- and a two-site model. Adsorption of S.
mutans JBP cells to pellicles formed from untreated saliva was
statistically significantly better described by the two-site model, and the
two classes of binding sites present had widely different affinities. Also,
there were approximately one-third fewer high-affinity sites than
low-affinity sites. In contrast, adsorption of S. mutans JBP cells to
pellicles formed from JBP-absorbed saliva was better described by the
one-site model, and the sites present were of low affinity. Thus, the
absorption process appeared to remove or alter specific salivary molecules
which comprise the high-affinity binding sites for S. mutans JBP cells.
