Peptide profile of human acquired enamel pellicle using MALDI tandem MS

Mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches for salivary protein biomarkers discovery and dental caries diagnosis: A critical review

Dental caries is a multifactorial chronic disease resulting from the intricate interplay among acid-generating bacteria, fermentable carbohydrates, and several host factors such as saliva. Saliva comprises several proteins which could be utilized as biomarkers for caries prevention, diagnosis, and prognosis. Mass spectrometry-based salivary proteomics approaches, owing to their sensitivity, provide the opportunity to investigate and unveil crucial cariogenic pathogen activity and host indicators and may demonstrate clinically relevant biomarkers to improve caries diagnosis and management. The present review outlines the published literature of human clinical proteomics investigations on caries and extensively elucidates frequently reported salivary proteins as biomarkers. This review also discusses important aspects while designing an experimental proteomics workflow. The protein-protein interactions and the clinical relevance of salivary proteins as biomarkers for caries, together with uninvestigated domains of the discipline are also discussed critically.

The composition of the dental pellicle: an updated literature review

Background

The dental pellicle is a thin layer of up to several hundred nm in thickness, covering the tooth surface. It is known to protect the teeth from acid attacks through its selective permeability and it is involved in the remineralization process of the teeth. It functions also as binding site and source of nutrients for bacteria and conditioning biofilm (foundation) for dental plaque formation.

Methods

For this updated literature review, the PubMed database was searched for the dental pellicle and its composition.

Results

The dental pellicle has been analyzed in the past years with various state-of-the art analytic techniques such as high-resolution microscopic techniques (e.g., scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy), spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, affinity chromatography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and blotting-techniques (e.g., western blot). It consists of several different amino acids, proteins, and proteolytic protein fragments. Some studies also investigated other compounds of the pellicle, mainly fatty acids, and carbohydrates.

Conclusions

The dental pellicle is composed mainly of different proteins, but also fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Analysis with state-of-the-art analytical techniques have uncovered mainly acidic proline-rich proteins, amylase, cystatin, immunoglobulins, lysozyme, and mucins as main proteins of the dental pellicle. The pellicle has protective properties for the teeth. Further research is necessary to gain more knowledge about the role of the pellicle in the tooth remineralization process.

Proteome analysis of high affinity mouse saliva proteins to hydroxyapatite

Caries sensitivity varies between the two strains of inbred mice, BALB/cA has high sensitivity and C3H/HeN has low sensitivity. One potential reason seems to be a difference in pellicle-forming saliva protein composition. Here, we performed a proteomic analysis in order to identify differences of hydroxyapatite (HAP) adsorbed saliva proteins between these two mouse strains. HAP column chromatography revealed twice the quantity of high-affinity saliva proteins in C3H/HeN compared to BALB/cA. One- and two-dimensional electrophoresis showed 2 bands/spots with deviating migration. They were identified as murine carbonic anhydrase VI (CAVI) by peptide mass fingerprinting and confirmed with western blotting using a specific polyclonal antibody. Total RNA from the salivary glands of both mouse strains, PCR amplification of cDNA with a CAVI specific primer, and sequence analysis revealed one different base in codon 96, resulting in one different amino acid. Glyco-chains of CAVI deviate in one N-glycan, confirmed by mass analysis. CAVI activity was estimated from distinct circular dichroism spectra of the molecules and found higher in C3H/HeN mice. In summary, the CAVI composition of BALB/cA and C3H/HeN differs in one amino acid and a glyco-chain modification. Further, saliva from caries resistant C3H/HeN mice displayed higher CAVI activity and also overall hydroxyapatite adsorption, suggesting a relationship with caries susceptibility.

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CAVI was the salivary protein with high affinity for hydroxyapatite in two mice strains with different caries susceptibility.

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CAVI of the two strains showed differences in molecular weight, amino acids and genes, glyco-chain modification and enzyme activity.

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Differences in CAVI activity might contribute to caries susceptibility.

Preventive Applications of Polyphenols in Dentistry-A Review

Polyphenols are natural substances that have been shown to provide various health benefits. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic effects have been described. At the same time, they inhibit the actions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Thus, studies have also examined their effects within the oral cavity. This review provides an overview on the different polyphenols, and their structure and interactions with the tooth surface and the pellicle. In particular, the effects of various tea polyphenols on bioadhesion and erosion have been reviewed. The current research confirms that polyphenols can reduce the growth of cariogenic bacteria. Furthermore, they can decrease the adherence of bacteria to the tooth surface and improve the erosion-protective properties of the acquired enamel pellicle. Tea polyphenols, especially, have the potential to contribute to an oral health-related diet. However, in vitro studies have mainly been conducted. In situ studies and clinical studies need to be extended and supplemented in order to significantly contribute to additive prevention measures in caries prophylaxis.

Human salivary proteins and their peptidomimetics: Values of function, early diagnosis, and therapeutic potential in combating dental caries

Saliva contains a large number of proteins that play various crucial roles to maintain the oral health and tooth integrity. This oral fluid is proposed to be one of the most important host factors, serving as a special medium for monitoring aspects of microorganisms, diet and host susceptibility involved in the caries process. Extensive salivary proteomic and peptidomic studies have resulted in considerable advances in the field of biomarkers discovery for dental caries. These salivary biomarkers may be exploited for the prediction, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of dental caries, many of which could also provide the potential templates for bioactive peptides used for the biomimetic management of dental caries, rather than repairing caries lesions with artificial materials. A comprehensive understanding of the biological function of salivary proteins as well as their derived biomimetic peptides with promising potential against dental caries has been long awaited. This review overviewed a collection of current literature and addressed the majority of different functions of salivary proteins and peptides with their potential as functional biomarkers for caries risk assessment and clinical prospects for the anti-caries application.

Impact of oral astringent stimuli on surface charge and morphology of the protein-rich pellicle at the tooth-saliva interphase

The proteinaceous pellicle layer, which develops upon contact with saliva on the surface of teeth, is important for the formation of oral biofilms and for the protection of teeth from abrasion and chemically induced erosion. Astringent food ingredients comprising polyphenols, cationic macromolecules, and multivalent metal salts are known to interact with the pellicle. However, astringent-induced changes in the physicochemical properties of the tooth-saliva interphase are not yet completely understood. Here we provide comprehensive insights into interfacial charging, ultrastructure, thickness, and surface roughness of the pellicles formed on the model substrates silicon oxide (SiO₂), Teflon^® AF, and hydroxyapatite, as well as on bovine enamel before and after incubation with the astringents epigallocatechin gallate, tannic acid, iron(III) salt, lysozyme, and chitosan. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring demonstrated viscous behavior of untreated pellicles formed in vitro on the different materials. Electrokinetic (streaming current) measurements revealed that cationic astringents reverse the charge of native pellicles, whereas polyphenols did not change the charge under physiological pH condition. In addition, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed a concentration-dependent increase in average film thickness and pellicle surface roughness as induced by astringents. These multifaceted alterations of the salivary pellicle may come along with an increase in roughness perceived on the teeth, which is part of the complex sensations of oral astringency.

Salivary proteins and microbiota as biomarkers for early childhood caries risk assessment

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a term used to describe dental caries in children aged 6 years or younger. Oral streptococci, such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbrinus, are considered to be the main etiological agents of tooth decay in children. Other bacteria, such as Prevotella spp. and Lactobacillus spp., and fungus, that is, Candida albicans, are related to the development and progression of ECC. Biomolecules in saliva, mainly proteins, affect the survival of oral microorganisms by multiple innate defensive mechanisms, thus modulating the oral microflora. Therefore, the protein composition of saliva can be a sensitive indicator for dental health. Resistance or susceptibility to caries may be significantly correlated with alterations in salivary protein components. Some oral microorganisms and saliva proteins may serve as useful biomarkers in predicting the risk and prognosis of caries. Current research has generated abundant information that contributes to a better understanding of the roles of microorganisms and salivary proteins in ECC occurrence and prevention. This review summarizes the microorganisms that cause caries and tooth-protective salivary proteins with their potential as functional biomarkers for ECC risk assessment. The identification of biomarkers for children at high risk of ECC is not only critical for early diagnosis but also important for preventing and treating the disease.

Reduced statherin in acquired enamel pellicle on eroded teeth compared to healthy teeth in the same subjects: An in-vivo study

The aim of this in-vivo study was to compare total protein and four key salivary proteins present in the acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) on eroded and non-eroded surfaces in participants with erosive tooth wear. Participants with erosive tooth wear of dietary non-intrinsic origin, present on the occlusal surfaces of the lower first molars and an unaffected posterior occlusal surface in the same quadrant were recruited from restorative dental clinics at King's College London Dental Institute (n = 29, REC ref 14/EM/1171). Following removal of the salivary film, AEP samples were collected from the eroded occlusal surfaces (EP, n = 29) and the non-eroded occlusal surfaces (NP, n = 29) using 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) soaked filter papers. Total protein concentration was analysed using bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA). Protein fractions were separated using SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted against: mucin5b, albumin, carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI) and statherin antibodies. Amounts were quantified using ImageLab software against purified protein standards of known concentration. ANOVA followed by paired t-test and Wilcoxon's matched-pair signed-rank test were used to test statistical significance. The difference was considered to be significant at a P value < 0.05. The total protein on eroded surfaces was significantly lower compared to the total protein on non-eroded surfaces [0.41mg/mL (0.04) and 0.61 mg/mL (0.11)] respectively (p< 0.05). The median (min, max) amount of statherin was also significantly lower on eroded occlusal surfaces [84.1 (20.0, 221.8) ng] compared to AEP from non-eroded teeth in the same subjects [97.1(30.0, 755.6) ng] (p = 0.002). No statistical differences were observed for mucin 5b, albumin or CA VI. The total protein and statherin in the in-vivo AEP were different between eroded and non-eroded tooth surfaces of the same patient.

A New Sugarcane Cystatin Strongly Binds to Dental Enamel and Reduces Erosion

Cystatin B was recently identified as an acid-resistant protein in acquired enamel pellicle; it could therefore be included in oral products to protect against caries and erosion. However, human recombinant cystatin is very expensive, and alternatives to its use are necessary. Phytocystatins are reversible inhibitors of cysteine peptidases that are found naturally in plants. In plants, they have several biological and physiological functions, such as the regulation of endogenous processes, defense against pathogens, and response to abiotic stress. Previous studies performed by our research group have reported high inhibitory activity and potential agricultural and medical applications of several sugarcane cystatins, including CaneCPI-1, CaneCPI-2, CaneCPI-3, and CaneCPI-4. In the present study, we report the characterization of a novel sugarcane cystatin, named CaneCPI-5. This cystatin was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli, and inhibitory assays demonstrated that it was a potent inhibitor of human cathepsins B, K, and L ( Ki = 6.87, 0.49, and 0.34 nM, respectively). The ability of CaneCPI-5 to bind to dental enamel was evaluated using atomic force microscopy. Its capacity to protect against initial enamel erosion was also tested in vitro via changes in surface hardness. CaneCPI-5 showed a very large force of interaction with enamel (e.g., compared with mucin and casein) and significantly reduced initial enamel erosion. These results suggest that the inclusion of CaneCPIs in dental products might confer protection against enamel erosion.

Label-free quantitative proteome analysis of the surface-bound salivary pellicle

The salivary pellicle, covering natural as well as restored tooth surfaces in the oral cavity as an immobilized protein-rich layer, acts as an important physico-chemical and biological mediator at the tooth-saliva-interface. For the first time, the pellicle's proteome of individual volunteers were analyzed separately on three consecutive days and the relative protein abundance determined by a label-free quantitative nano-LC-MS/MS approach. A total of 72 major proteins were identified in the initial pellicles formed intraorally on dental ceramic specimens already after 3min with high inter-individual and inter-day consistency. In comparison, significant differences in protein abundance were evident between subjects, thus indicating unique individual pellicle profiles. Furthermore, the relative protein abundance in pellicles was compared to the proteome pattern in the corresponding saliva samples of the same individuals to provide first data on significantly enriched and depleted salivary proteins (p <0.05) within the surface-bound salivary pellicle. Our findings reveal the initial adsorption of salivary proteins at the solid-liquid interface to be a rapid, highly selective, and reproducible process leading to the immobilization of a broad range of protective proteins and enzymes on the substratum surface within a few minutes. This provides evidence that the pellicle layer might be physiologically functional even without further maturation.

The Interactions of CPP-ACP with Saliva

The repair of early dental caries lesions has been demonstrated by the application of the remineralisation technology based on casein phosphopeptide-stabilised amorphous calcium phosphate complexes (CPP-ACP). These complexes consist of an amorphous calcium phosphate mineral phase stabilised and encapsulated by the self-assembly of milk-derived phosphopeptides. During topical application of CPP-ACP complexes in the oral cavity, the CPP encounters the enamel pellicle consisting of salivary proteins and peptides. However the interactions of the CPP with the enamel salivary pellicle are not known. The studies presented here reveal that the predominant peptides of CPP-ACP complexes do interact with specific salivary proteins and peptides of the enamel pellicle, and provide a mechanism by which the CPP-ACP complexes are localised at the tooth surface to promote remineralisation.

The salivary proteome profile in patients affected by SAPHO syndrome characterized by a top-down RP-HPLC-ESI-MS platform

SAPHO syndrome is a rare and often unrecognized disease with prominent inflammatory cutaneous and articular symptoms characterized by musculoskeletal manifestations (synovitis, hyperostosis, osteomyelitis) associated with dermatological conditions (severe acne and pustulosis). The acidic soluble fraction of whole saliva from 10 adult women affected by SAPHO syndrome and from a group of 28 healthy women was analysed by RP-HPLC-ESI-MS with the aim of discovering salivary biomarkers of the disorder. The levels of the oral proteins and peptides were correlated with clinical data. The following proteins showed a significant decreased concentration in saliva of SAPHO subjects with respect to controls: cystatin S1 and SN, histatins, the major acidic PRPs, P-C and P-B peptides. The cystatin SN abundance lowered according to the disease duration and histatins showed positive correlations with the C reactive protein. Statistical analysis performed excluding one patient with a different pattern of salivary proteins/peptides highlighted a positive relationship between cystatin S1, histatins 3, histatin 5, and the neutrophil count. Moreover, histatin 3 correlated positively with the total white cell count and negatively with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Levels and frequency of S100A12 protein showed a trend to increase in SAPHO patients. The high expression of this pro-inflammatory protein is probably related to the inflammatory response and to the altered neutrophil responses to functional stimuli that characterize SAPHO syndrome suggesting a possible application as a salivary biomarker.

Hydroxyapatite Growth Inhibition Effect of Pellicle Statherin Peptides

In our recent studies, we have shown that in vivo–acquired enamel pellicle is a sophisticated biological structure containing a significant portion of naturally occurring salivary peptides. From a functional aspect, the identification of peptides in the acquired enamel pellicle is of interest because many salivary proteins exhibit functional domains that maintain the activities of the native protein. Among the in vivo–acquired enamel pellicle peptides that have been newly identified, 5 peptides are derived from statherin. Here, we assessed the ability of these statherin pellicle peptides to inhibit hydroxyapatite crystal growth. In addition, atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to better understand the underlying physical mechanisms of hydroxyapatite growth inhibition. A microplate colorimetric assay was used to quantify hydroxyapatite growth. Statherin protein, 5 statherin-derived peptides, and a peptide lacking phosphate at residues 2 and 3 were analyzed. Statherin peptide phosphorylated on residues 2 and 3 indicated a significant inhibitory effect when compared with the 5 other peptides ( P < 0.05). MD simulations showed a strong affinity and fast adsorption to hydroxyapatite for phosphopeptides, whereas unphosphorylated peptides interacted weakly with the hydroxyapatite. Our data suggest that the presence of a covalently linked phosphate group (at residues 2 and 3) in statherin peptides modulates the effect of hydroxyapatite growth inhibition. This study provides a mechanism to account for the composition and function of acquired enamel pellicle statherin peptides that will contribute as a base for the development of biologically stable and functional synthetic peptides for therapeutic use against dental caries and/or periodontal disease.

Label-free detection and identification of protein ligands captured by receptors in a polymerized planar lipid bilayer using MALDI-TOF MS

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) coupled with affinity capture is a well-established method to extract biological analytes from complex samples followed by label-free detection and identification. Many bioanalytes of interest bind to membrane-associated receptors; however, the matrices and high-vacuum conditions inherent to MALDI-TOF MS make it largely incompatible with the use of artificial lipid membranes with incorporated receptors as platforms for detection of captured proteins and peptides. Here we show that cross-linking polymerization of a planar supported lipid bilayer (PSLB) provides the stability needed for MALDI-TOF MS analysis of proteins captured by receptors embedded in the membrane. PSLBs composed of poly(bis-sorbylphosphatidylcholine) (poly(bis-SorbPC)) and doped with the ganglioside receptors GM1 and GD1a were used for affinity capture of the B subunits of cholera toxin, heat-labile enterotoxin, and pertussis toxin. The three toxins were captured simultaneously, then detected and identified by MS on the basis of differences in their molecular weights. Poly(bis-SorbPC) PSLBs are inherently resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption, which allowed selective toxin detection to be achieved in complex matrices (bovine serum and shrimp extract). Using GM1-cholera toxin subunit B as a model receptor-ligand pair, we estimated the minimal detectable concentration of toxin to be 4 nM. On-plate tryptic digestion of bound cholera toxin subunit B followed by MS/MS analysis of digested peptides was performed successfully, demonstrating the feasibility of using the PSLB-based affinity capture platform for identification of unknown, membrane-associated proteins. Overall, this work demonstrates that combining a poly(lipid) affinity capture platform with MALDI-TOF MS detection is a viable approach for capture and proteomic characterization of membrane-associated proteins in a label-free manner.

Molecular mechanisms of taste recognition: considerations about the role of saliva

The gustatory system plays a critical role in determining food preferences and food intake, in addition to nutritive, energy and electrolyte balance. Fine tuning of the gustatory system is also crucial in this respect. The exact mechanisms that fine tune taste sensitivity are as of yet poorly defined, but it is clear that various effects of saliva on taste recognition are also involved. Specifically those metabolic polypeptides present in the saliva that were classically considered to be gut and appetite hormones (i.e., leptin, ghrelin, insulin, neuropeptide Y, peptide YY) were considered to play a pivotal role. Besides these, data clearly indicate the major role of several other salivary proteins, such as salivary carbonic anhydrase (gustin), proline-rich proteins, cystatins, alpha-amylases, histatins, salivary albumin and mucins. Other proteins like glucagon-like peptide-1, salivary immunoglobulin-A, zinc-α-2-glycoprotein, salivary lactoperoxidase, salivary prolactin-inducible protein and salivary molecular chaperone HSP70/HSPAs were also expected to play an important role. Furthermore, factors including salivary flow rate, buffer capacity and ionic composition of saliva should also be considered. In this paper, the current state of research related to the above and the overall emerging field of taste-related salivary research alongside basic principles of taste perception is reviewed.

Proteomic evaluation of acquired enamel pellicle during in vivo formation

Acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) is a protein film that forms on the enamel surface of teeth by selective adsorption of proteins and peptides present in the mouth. This protein film forms the interface between enamel and the damage oral biofilm, which modulates the attachment of bacteria found in oral biofilm. The overall goal of this study was to gain insight into the biological formation of the human in vivo AEP. This study hypothesized that AEP is created by the formation of successive protein layers, which consist of initial binding to enamel and subsequent protein-protein interactions. This hypothesis was examined by observing quantitative and qualitative changes in pellicle composition during the first two hours of AEP formation in the oral cavity. Quantitative mass spectrometry approaches were used to generate an AEP protein profile for each time-point studied. Relative proteomic quantification was carried out for the 50 proteins observed in all four time-points. Notably, the abundance of important salivary proteins, such as histatin 1, decrease with increasing of the AEP formation, while other essential proteins such as statherin showed constant relative abundance in all time-points. In summary, this is the first study that investigates the dynamic process to the AEP formation by using proteomic approaches. Our data demonstrated that there are significant qualitative and quantitative proteome changes during the AEP formation, which in turn will likely impact the development of oral biofilms.

The scientific exploration of saliva in the post-proteomic era: from database back to basic function

The proteome of human saliva can be considered as being essentially completed. Diagnostic markers for a number of diseases have been identified among salivary proteins and peptides, taking advantage of saliva as an easy-to-obtain biological fluid. Yet, the majority of disease markers identified so far are serum components and not intrinsic proteins produced by the salivary glands. Furthermore, despite the fact that saliva is essential for protecting the oral integuments and dentition, little progress has been made in finding risk predictors in the salivary proteome for dental caries or periodontal disease. Since salivary proteins, and in particular the attached glycans, play an important role in interactions with the microbial world, the salivary glycoproteome and other post-translational modifications of salivary proteins need to be studied. Risk markers for microbial diseases, including dental caries, are likely to be discovered among the highly glycosylated major protein species in saliva. This review will attempt to raise new ideas and also point to under-researched areas that may hold promise for future applicability in oral diagnostics and prediction of oral disease.

Effect of NaCl and sucrose tastants on protein composition of oral fluid analysed by SELDI-TOF-MS

During eating, human saliva is secreted into the oral cavity by salivary glands. The relative contribution of different glands to total salivary flow rate depends, among other factors, on the tastants in the food. Few reports indicated that also the salivary protein composition depends on the tastant make-up of the food. We studied the influence of sodium-chloride- and sucrose solutions on the presence of proteins in the M(r) range 2-20kDa in whole saliva. Upon oral stimulation with a sodium chloride solution, a sucrose solution or water, we collected whole saliva from 14 volunteers after t=1 min, t=11 min and t=20 min. Saliva protein profiles were analysed by SELDI-TOF-MS. SELDI-TOF-MS intensities of m/z values representing different protein masses were compared between subjects, tastants and time conditions. For subsets of the 33 detected masses, significant effects were observed for all factors, with most masses involved in the Subjects effect: m/z(Subjects)>m/z(Time×Stimulus)>m/z(Stimulus)>m/z(Time). Most effects on saliva protein composition were observed at t=1 min, whilst almost no effects were observed at t=11 min and t=20 min. When considering the Stimulus×Time interaction, we identified four different stimulus-response patterns. Proteins identified in the present study, and attributed to specific glands or tissues in literature, were used to associate stimulus-response patterns with tissue provenances. Observed stimulus-response patterns were not uniquely associated to particular glands and tissues. Hence, there was no evidence of the involvement of particular tissues or glands in tastant-specific protein responses. In conclusion, oral stimulation with different tastants affects salivary protein composition in a protein- and stimuli dependent way, which seems not be associated with any specific tissues or glands of origin.

Salivary defense proteins: their network and role in innate and acquired oral immunity

There are numerous defense proteins present in the saliva. Although some of these molecules are present in rather low concentrations, their effects are additive and/or synergistic, resulting in an efficient molecular defense network of the oral cavity. Moreover, local concentrations of these proteins near the mucosal surfaces (mucosal transudate), periodontal sulcus (gingival crevicular fluid) and oral wounds and ulcers (transudate) may be much greater, and in many cases reinforced by immune and/or inflammatory reactions of the oral mucosa. Some defense proteins, like salivary immunoglobulins and salivary chaperokine HSP70/HSPAs (70 kDa heat shock proteins), are involved in both innate and acquired immunity. Cationic peptides and other defense proteins like lysozyme, bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (BPI), BPI-like proteins, PLUNC (palate lung and nasal epithelial clone) proteins, salivary amylase, cystatins, prolin-rich proteins, mucins, peroxidases, statherin and others are primarily responsible for innate immunity. In this paper, this complex system and function of the salivary defense proteins will be reviewed.

Protein identification using nano-HPLC-MS: ESI-MS and MALDI-MS interfaces

Body fluids and body tissues have a myriad of peptides and proteins that, very often, the traditional methodologies of proteomics, such as conventional gel electrophoresis or mass spectrometry, are unable to characterize. We describe two protocols to characterize high molecular weight peptides (>3 kDa) and intact proteins involving on-line trypsin digestion, separation of the digests by nano-HPLC, and analysis by mass spectrometry using two different ionization sources (matrix-assisted laser desorption and electrospray ionization). These protocols have the advantage of promoting protein denaturation in an aqueous-organic solvent, which reduces the derivatization of the sample and facilitates an in-depth analysis for detection and identification of proteins. Additional advantages include the following: (1) integration of these protocols into standard proteomic workflows after the preprocessing of samples and separation; (2) use of high-resolution monolithic columns; and (3) the ability to acquire information from minimal amounts of sample.

Mass spectrometric identification of key proteolytic cleavage sites in statherin affecting mineral homeostasis and bacterial binding domains

Human salivary statherin inhibits both primary and secondary calcium phosphate precipitation and, upon binding to hydroxyapatite, associates with a variety of oral bacteria. These functions, crucial in the maintenance of tooth enamel integrity, are located in defined regions within the statherin molecule. Proteases associated with saliva, however, cleave statherin effectively, and it is of importance to determine how statherin functional domains are affected by these events. Statherin was isolated from human parotid secretion by zinc precipitation and purified by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). To characterize the proteolytic process provoked by oral proteases, statherin was incubated with whole saliva and fragmentation was monitored by RP-HPLC. The early formed peptides were structurally characterized by reversed phase liquid chromatography electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Statherin was degraded 3.6× faster in whole saliva than in whole saliva supernatant. The main and primary cleavage sites were located in the N-terminal half of statherin, specifically after Arg(9), Arg(10), and Arg(13); after Phe(14) and Tyr(18); and after Gly(12), Gly(15), Gly(17) and Gly(19) while the C-terminal half of statherin remained intact. Whole saliva protease activities separated the charged N-terminus from the hydrophobic C-terminus, negatively impacting on full length statherin functions comprising enamel lubrication and inhibition of primary calcium phosphate precipitation. Cryptic epitopes for bacterial binding residing in the C-terminal domain were likewise affected. The full characterization of the statherin peptides generated facilitates the elucidation of their novel functional roles in the oral and gastro-intestinal environment.

Identification of salivary proteins at oil-water interfaces stabilized by lysozyme and beta-lactoglobulin

In this research, we investigated the interaction occurring between oil-in-water emulsion droplets, stabilized by different emulsifiers, i.e. lysozyme and beta-lactoglobulin (beta-lg), and salivary proteins (SPs) with a molecular mass (M(r)) above about 10kDa. Different techniques, i.e. infrared spectroscopy, Western blotting, PAS staining and SDS-PAGE coupled to MS, were employed for this purpose. This study demonstrated the interaction between several salivary proteins and the emulsifiers at the oil-water interfaces. In particular, results show that the high M(r) mucin MUC5B was strongly bound to lysozyme stabilized emulsions, whereas beta-lg stabilized emulsions associated with MUC7 and, moderately, with MUC5B. Furthermore, we observed that salivary proteins in the range M(r) 10-100kDa associated differently with emulsion droplets. A large majority of SPs was found to interact with lysozyme stabilized emulsion droplets whilst in case of beta-lg stabilized emulsions, the SPs distribute more evenly between the fraction associated and non-associated with the droplets. A clear example is alpha-amylase (M(r) approximately 55kDa) which predominantly associates with lysozyme stabilized emulsion droplets, but not with beta-lg emulsion droplets. To conclude, our findings indicate that adsorption/association of salivary protein components onto the emulsion droplets is related to the type of emulsifying proteins at the oil-water interfaces and it is probably driven by the overall net charge at the droplet's oil-water interfaces, i.e. positive for lysozyme stabilized emulsions and negative for beta-lactoglobulin stabilized emulsion at neutral pH.

Small molecular weight proteins/peptides present in the in vivo formed human acquired enamel pellicle

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the type and the nature of peptides present in the in vivo formed human acquired enamel pellicle.

DESIGN

Pellicle material was collected from 10 volunteers and subjected to sample preparations consisting of centrifugal filtration using a 10 kDa molecular weight cut-off membrane and high-resolution gel filtration chromatography. The fractions containing peptides <10 kDa obtained by both methods were analyzed by LC-ESI-MS/MS.

RESULTS

78 natural pellicle peptides with molecular weights ranging from 766.9 Da to 3981.4 Da were identified originating from 29 different proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of peptides present in acquired enamel pellicle appears to be large and this is likely to enhance the functional spectrum of this protein film. The presence of small peptides in pellicle may be functionally important since structure/function studies of many salivary proteins have shown that specific domains within these native proteins retain or even exhibit enhanced biological activities. The data present the basis for determining the precise function of these pellicle peptides and for gaining insights into the role pellicle plays in the oral cavity.

Concentration and fate of histatins and acidic proline-rich proteins in the oral environment

Saliva plays a critical role in the protection of oral hard and soft tissues and contains a multitude of constituents with well-characterized biological activities in vitro. Among these are histatins and acidic proline-rich proteins (PRPs). Nevertheless, few functional studies have recognized the structural instability of these proteins in the proteolytic environment of whole saliva. The aim of this investigation was to determine histatin and acidic PRP levels in parotid secretion (PS) and in whole saliva (WS) as well as to establish their susceptibility to proteolysis in these salivary fluids. Using cationic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and densitometric analysis the average total histatin concentration (histatin 1+3+5) in WS was determined to be 33.3+/-16.7 microg/ml (n=22) and the average total acidic PRP concentration (PRP1/PIF-s+PRP3/PIF-f) was 427.9+/-123.3 microg/ml (n=22). Histatin and acidic PRP concentrations in PS were 6 and 1.5 times higher than in WS (n=7), respectively. WS histatin and acidic PRP levels each correlated significantly with WS total protein concentrations (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), as well as with each other (P<0.01). Stability studies of histatin 3 and PRP1/Pif-s in PS revealed t(1/2) times of 7.2+/-5.5 and 50.3+/-24.8h, respectively (n=7). Histatin 3 (40 microg/ml) and PRP1 (400 microg/ml), added to WS in concentrations equivalent to their concentrations in PS, disappeared at a much faster rate, with t(1/2) values of 1.7+/-1.6 min and 29.3+/-15.3 min, respectively (n=7). The data indicate that proteolysis in WS is an important factor in explaining the substantially lower concentrations of histatins and acidic PRPs in WS as compared to in glandular secretions.

On-plate digestion using a commercial microfraction collector for nano-HPLC matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight protein analysis

A new method for on-plate protein digestion and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry analysis is proposed involving an automated one-step sample separation using nanoflow HPLC followed by nanoliter fraction collection and on-plate digestion with trypsin. This procedure uses a commercial automatic nanoliter fraction collection system for on-line spotting of the eluent onto a MALDI target. After protein digestion, the reaction is stopped by the addition of acidified matrix using the same automated system. Collected spots are subsequently analyzed using a MALDI tandem time-of-flight (TOF/TOF) mass spectrometer for protein sequencing and identification.