The purpose of this investigation is to examine the structural basis of proline-rich glycoprotein mediated lubrication. The salivary secretions which bathe the oral cavity play a significant role in maintaining the health of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. This is particularly apparent when one examines patients afflicted with xerostomia. Many of the problems faced by the xerostomic patient may be attributed to a loss of salivary mediated lubrication in the oral cavity, i.e., inadequate slide of masticatory (and/or prosthetic) surfaces in relation to the soft tissues of the mouth leads to difficulty in phonation, mastication and deglutition. Moreover, the absence of a lubricating interface between soft and hard (natural or prosthetic) surfaces of the mouth could increase the incidence of frictional irritation of mucosal surfaces. The mechanisms by which the salivary secretions form a lubrication interface between intercusping teeth and the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity are poorly understood. However, recent studies have demonstrated that the major glycoprotein of parotid saliva, the proline-rich glycoprotein, displays in vitro lubricating activity. We will examine the structural basis of this activity by assaying defined structural variants of this glycoprotein. These studies may well serve as a prelude for future work, designed to engineer more biologically compatible and efficacious salivary substitutes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01DE008511-01
Application #
3222228
Study Section
(SRC)
Project Start
1987-09-01
Project End
1992-08-31
Budget Start
1987-09-01
Budget End
1988-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rochester
Department
Type
School of Medicine & Dentistry
DUNS #
208469486
City
Rochester
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14627
O'Connell, B; Tabak, L A; Ramasubbu, N (1991) The influence of flanking sequences on O-glycosylation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 180:1024-30
Gans, R F; Watson, G E; Tabak, L A (1990) A new assessment in vitro of human salivary lubrication using a compliant substrate. Arch Oral Biol 35:487-92