Salivary α-Amylase: Role in Dental Plaque and Caries Formation

Abstract

Salivary a-amylase, one of the most plentiful components in human saliva, has at least three distinct biological functions. The enzymatic activity of a-amylase undoubtedly plays a role in carbohydrate digestion. Amylase in solution binds with high affinity to a selected group of oral streptococci, a function that may contribute to bacterial clearance and nutrition. The fact that a-amylase is also found in acquired enamel pellicle suggests a role in the adhesion of a-amylase-binding bacteria. All of these biological activities seem to depend on an intact enzyme conformation. Binding of a-amylase to bacteria and teeth may have important implications for dental plaque and caries formation. a-Amylase bound to bacteria in plaque may facilitate dietary starch hydrolysis to provide additional glucose for metabolism by plaque microorganisms in close proximity to the tooth surface. The resulting lactic acid produced may be added to the pool of acid in plaque to contribute to tooth demineralization.

Amylase-binding proteins A (AbpA) and B (AbpB) differentially affect colonization of rats' teeth by Streptococcus gordonii

“…Consistent with previous data (Tanzer et al, 2001a), S. gordonii appears to be either a non-cariogen or, at most, a feeble cariogen, despite its striking ability to prominently colonize the surface of teeth of our rats or humans (Scannapieco et al, 1993;Tanzer et al, 2001b). The present data suggest that deletion of its abpA slightly increases its virulence, and that this cariogenicity increase is associated with its augmented ability to colonize the surface of teeth in the in vivo plaque biofilm.…”

“…They are early colonizers of the tooth and numerous in human supragingival dental plaque biofilm (Scannapieco et al, 1994;Tseng et al, 1992;Tanzer et al, 2001b). It has been speculated that ABS such as Streptococcus gordonii, abundant on the teeth of humans, make a significant contribution to the process of dental caries (Scannapieco et al, 1993). However, a recent comprehensive review of the literature on human dental caries suggests, if anything, an inverse relationship of S. gordonii colonization with caries prevalence and incidence (Tanzer et al, 2001b).…”

Estimation of Levels of Salivary Mucin, Amylase and Total Protein in Gingivitis and Chronic Periodontitis Patients

“…Salivary amylase is a calcium containing metalloenzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of α [1,4] glycosidic bonding between glucose residues of polysaccharides such as starch, glycogen and dextrins [5,11]. In addition to its digestive action, α-amylase is also In the present study, an evaluation of mucins in unstimulated saliva was performed in healthy, gingivitis and chronic periodontitis subjects.…”

α-Amylase Inhibitors: A Review of Raw Material and Isolated Compounds from Plant Source

“…Third, α-amylase in solution binds with high affinity to viridans oral streptococci and bacteria-bound α-amylase is capable of hydrolyzing starch to glucose, which can be used as a food source and then further metabolized to lactic acid. Localized acid production by bacteria can lead to the dissolution of tooth enamel, a critical step in dental caries progression (12,13). Because of its central role in the oral cavity, α-amylase salivary has been exploited as a target for the structureassisted design of compounds that might prevent unwanted dental plaque formation and the subsequent process of dental caries formation and progression.…”