Secretory proteins in the saliva of children
Thiruvanamalai Sivakumar1, Arthur R Hand, Maija Mednieks
1Department of Craniofacial Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030-3910, USA.
Insights
Children
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Pediatric Health and Salivary Diagnostics
Background:
- Oral fluid protein composition is influenced by various environmental and physiological factors.
- Understanding salivary protein profiles in children is crucial for monitoring their health and responses to stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the salivary protein profiles of children and adults.
- To investigate the presence and levels of specific proteins like high-molecular-weight proteins, regulatory subunits of type II protein kinase A (RII), and alpha-amylase in children's saliva.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples from children and adults were collected.
- Protein expression was analyzed using electrophoresis and Western blotting.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare protein profiles between age groups and demographics.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in salivary protein profiles were observed between children and adults (P < 0.05).
- Children's saliva consistently contained high-molecular-weight proteins (>90 kDa), which were rare in adults.
- The ratio of RII to total protein was stable in children but variable in adults; alpha-amylase was less degraded in children's saliva.
Conclusions:
- Children exhibit distinct salivary protein compositions compared to adults.
- Salivary protein analysis offers a non-invasive, economical method for biochemical monitoring in children.
- These findings suggest potential for using oral fluid analysis to detect responses to stress and other stimuli in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
The protein composition of oral fluid is modulated by environmental factors and physiological states, i.e. chemical, mechanical and pharmacologic stimuli, pathologic conditions, and psychological stress. Secretory protein concentrations in samples of whole saliva (WS) from children were measured and the results were subjected to statistical analysis. Protein expression was determined using electrophoresis and Western blotting. Protein profiles of children were significantly different from those of adults (n = 50, P < 0.05). All samples of saliva from children contained a group of high-molecular-weight (>90 kDa) proteins, whereas fewer than 5% of samples from adults had comparable bands. The ratio of the regulatory subunits (RII) of type II protein kinase A (an enzyme that regulates secretion) to total protein was stable in children's saliva, but variable in saliva from adults. Alpha amylase (alpha-amylase), an enzyme that digests carbohydrates, was less degraded in WS of children than in that of adults. Gingival crevicular fluid of both children and adults did not contain alpha-amylase or RII. No significant gender-based differences were found, but Caucasian children had higher salivary protein levels than children with an African background. Saliva collection is rapid, painless, non-invasive, economical, and yields findings that are reproducible. Objective, biochemical monitoring of secretory proteins in oral fluid of children may reveal responses to stressful stimuli.
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