Journal of Dental Research, Vol 80, 466-469, Copyright © 2001 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Glucosyltransferase inactivation reduces dental caries
K. S. Devulapalle and G. Mooser
Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-0641, USA.
Dental caries has been an intractable disease in spite of intense dental
research. The metabolic acids produced by mutans streptococci demineralize
the tooth surface and lead to dental caries. The enzyme glucosyltransferase
(GTF) produced by mutans streptococci is the key factor in this process.
Oral bacterial GTFs use sucrose as a substrate in synthesis of either
water-soluble or insoluble glucans. In this investigation, kinetic studies
with divalent metal ions revealed their strong binding affinity to GTF. The
metal ions also proved to be strong inhibitors of the enzyme. Here we
describe a simple method of inactivating the enzyme that actively
participates in dental caries by taking advantage of a Fenton reaction
which requires metal ions such as iron or copper and peroxide. The hydroxyl
radical ions produced via the Fenton reaction inactivate GTF, a factor in
the production of dental caries.
