The overall goal of this project is to understand the role of histidinerich proteins (HRPs) present in human parotid and submandibular secretions in the non-immune oral defense systems. Recent work has shown that a group of at least 7 HRPs in glandular secretions which display a genetic polymorphism, exhibit both antibacterial and antifungal properties. We have isolated, purified and determined the primary structure of one of these components. This protein was found to be a potent inhibitor of Candida albicans germination. While oral candidal infections in healthy individuals are rare, they are a more serious health problem in patients debilitated by a variety of conditions. Since the population of patients susceptible to candidosis is increasing, the investigation of biological agents with anticandidal activity in the oral cavity is of considerable interest.
The specific aims of this project are to: 1. Isolate and characterize the individual HRPs from human paratid and submandibular secretions. 2. Determine the primary structure of the individual HRPs. 3. Elucidate the biosysthetic relationship among HRPs and determine the molecular basis of their genetic polymorphism using recombinant DNA technology. 4. Characterize the antimicrobial properties of HRPs against selected oral fungal and bacterial strains. 5. Determine the concentration range of HRPs under stimulated and non-stimulated conditions in salivary secretions and in whole saliva of healthy subjects.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DE007652-02
Application #
3221339
Study Section
Oral Biology and Medicine Study Section (OBM)
Project Start
1986-04-01
Project End
1991-03-31
Budget Start
1987-04-01
Budget End
1988-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Boston University
Department
Type
Schools of Dentistry/Oral Hygn
DUNS #
604483045
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02118
Heller, D; Helmerhorst, E J; Oppenheim, F G (2017) Saliva and Serum Protein Exchange at the Tooth Enamel Surface. J Dent Res 96:437-443
Heller, D; Helmerhorst, E J; Gower, A C et al. (2016) Microbial Diversity in the Early In Vivo-Formed Dental Biofilm. Appl Environ Microbiol 82:1881-8
Vukosavljevic, D; Hutter, J L; Helmerhorst, E J et al. (2014) Nanoscale adhesion forces between enamel pellicle proteins and hydroxyapatite. J Dent Res 93:514-9
Iavarone, Federica; D'Alessandro, Alfredo; Tian, Na et al. (2014) High-resolution high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry characterization of a new isoform of human salivary acidic proline-rich proteins named Roma-Boston Ser?? (Phos) ? Phe varian J Sep Sci 37:1896-902
Trindade, Fábio; Oppenheim, Frank G; Helmerhorst, Eva J et al. (2014) Uncovering the molecular networks in periodontitis. Proteomics Clin Appl 8:748-61
Thomadaki, K; Bosch, Ja; Oppenheim, Fg et al. (2013) The diagnostic potential of salivary protease activities in periodontal health and disease. Oral Dis 19:781-8
Fernandez-Feo, M; Wei, G; Blumenkranz, G et al. (2013) The cultivable human oral gluten-degrading microbiome and its potential implications in coeliac disease and gluten sensitivity. Clin Microbiol Infect 19:E386-94
Oppenheim, Frank G; Helmerhorst, Eva J; Lendenmann, Urs et al. (2012) Anti-candidal activity of genetically engineered histatin variants with multiple functional domains. PLoS One 7:e51479
Carneiro, L G; Venuleo, C; Oppenheim, F G et al. (2012) Proteome data set of human gingival crevicular fluid from healthy periodontium sites by multidimensional protein separation and mass spectrometry. J Periodontal Res 47:248-62
Thomadaki, K; Helmerhorst, E J; Tian, N et al. (2011) Whole-saliva proteolysis and its impact on salivary diagnostics. J Dent Res 90:1325-30

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