Oral environment 2 Flashcards
Function of amylase
Enzyme that hydrolyses alpha 1,4- glycosidic bonds in starch to maltose. Potential defence role
Which ion is required for amylase secretion?
Ca2+
Which ion is a cofactor for amylase?
Cl- (activates amylase)
Where is amylase present?
Most mucosal gland secretions (including tears - defence role)
Why is starch cariogenic?
Starch is broken down into maltose which can be used by bacterial to lower pH of dental plaque causing caries.
Which is the most cariogenic sugar?
Sucrose
Alternative name for lysozyme
muramidase
Function of lysozyme / muramidase
ubiquitous non-specific defence role. Attacks bonds in bacterial cell walls causing lysis (antibacterial)
Where is lysozyme / muramidase present?
many secretions e.g. tears, saliva, vaginal mucus
Function of lactoperoxidase / sialoperoxidase
catalyses the reaction of 2 H2O2 -> 2 H2O + O2 which enables the oxidation of SCN- (thiocyanide) to OSCN- (hypothiocyanate) which has an antibacterial role.
Where is lactoperoxidase / sialoperoxidase secreted from?
salivary glands and some bacteria
Function of cystatins
Inhibit cysteine proteases especially in bacteria. Antimicrobial role (antibacterial and antiviral)
Alternative name for gustin
carbonic anhydrase VI
Function of gustin
facilitates taste by activating taste buds. (somehow to do with CO2 + H2O <-> H+ + HCO3-
Which ion is found in gustin / carbonic anhydrase VI?
Zn
Why might taste changes be a side effect of Viagra?
Gustin is the protein that facilitates taste and it is a potent PDE 5 activator which can be affected by Viagra (uses PDE 5 (phosphodiesterase 5) inhibitors).
What are histatins?
Histidine-rich proteins
Function of histatins
antibacterial (inhibits Streptococcus mutans) and antifungal (inhibits Candida albicans). Also inhibits CaPO4 precipitation which allows saturation of Ca and PO4 in saliva for remineralisation.
What are immunoglobins?
(Ig) - antibodies
Which cells secrete immunoglobins?
Plasma cells in salivary glands
Which immunoglobin is secreted in saliva?
IgA (short term memory) so would have to do yearly vaccinations against S. mutans
Why are there no vaccinations against S. mutans?
Because only IgA is secreted in saliva so would have to do yearly vaccinations. However, if someone is repeatedly vaccinated with the same antibody, the risk of anaphylactic shock increases.
Function of immunoglobins
Specific immunity against bacteria, fungi, viruses (Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral)
Function of lactoferrin
Binds to Fe3+ so acts as an antibacterial especially against bacterial that require Fe (can grow on blood agar, relevant for gingival sulcus bleeding)
Where is lipase released from?
von Ebner glands (serous glands near circumvallate papillae) therefore called lingual lipase