Dental caries: Genetic and protein interactions

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Oral Health Research
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Dental caries is a multifactorial disease with complex genetic and environmental influences.
• Understanding the genetic underpinnings of dental caries is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a genetic and protein interaction analysis associated with dental caries.
• To identify genes and biological pathways involved in dental caries development.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review (SLR) of case-control studies from 1982-2017 was performed.
• Included studies were screened using PRISMA protocol and assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).
• Protein-protein interactions and biological pathways were analyzed using String Protein Interaction (SPI) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA).

Main Results:

• The SLR included 51 articles, identifying 27 genes associated with dental caries.
• Twenty-three of these genes interact with at least one other gene.
• Specific genes like TUFT1, VDR, and HLA-DRB1 were found to be highly interconnected within genetic networks.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the multifactorial genetic inheritance patterns in dental caries.
• Identified genetic and protein interaction pathways contribute to a better understanding of dental caries.
• This knowledge may pave the way for novel biotechnological approaches for dental caries management.