[Electrophoretic analysis of potential receptors for oral streptococci in human saliva]

Initial adhesion of oral streptococci occurs at specific binding sites present in the dental pellicle. These receptors are salivary proteins and glycoproteins which by necessity possess affinity to dental enamel as well as to the adhering microorganism. By gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, five such proteins were shown which bound to hydroxyapatite and oral streptococci. Information on the molecular events of initial adhesion to dental surfaces by oral microorganisms may possibly open new avenues in caries prevention.