[Location of the surface protein antigen I/II on Mutans Streptococci with immunogold electron microscope]

Mutans Streptococci possess a number of surface protein antigens. The surface protein antigen I/II with a molecular mass of 190,000 is considered to play an important role in the initial attachment to tooth surface. The antigen is highly immunogenic and has been successfully used as a vaccine against dental caries. The object of this study is to locate the surface protein antigen I/II of Mutans Streptococci with immunogold electron microscope. The results suggest that (1) antigen I/II locate on the cell wall surface of serotype c, e, f; (2) antigen I/II locate on the "fuzz coat" of the cell wall of serotype d, g; (3) some antigen I/II locate at the surface of cell wall of serotype a; (4) antigen I/II are absent on the cell wall surface of serotype b strain.