Arginine deiminase system (ADS) (ADS)

The Arginine deiminase system (ADS) is a multi-enzyme metabolic pathway found in various commensal oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii, that plays a critical role in maintaining pH homeostasis within the dental biofilm (Nascimento et al., 2014). The system consists of three enzymes—arginine deiminase, ornithine carbamoyltransferase, and carbamate kinase—along with an arginine-ornithine antiporter that facilitates the transport of arginine into the cell (Burne & Marquis, 2000). By catabolizing L-arginine into ammonia, carbon dioxide, and ATP, the ADS generates alkali that neutralizes the organic acids produced by cariogenic bacteria like Streptococcus mutans (Liu et al., 2012). This acid neutralization helps prevent the demineralization of tooth enamel and promotes a microbial environment associated with oral health (Jakubovics et al., 2015). Consequently, the ADS is a significant therapeutic target in preventive dentistry, with L-arginine being used as a prebiotic substrate in oral care products to enhance the system's activity (He et al., 2016). Clinical studies have demonstrated that supplementing the oral environment with arginine can shift the biofilm composition toward beneficial species and reduce the incidence of dental caries (Nascimento et al., 2014).

Other names

Arginine deiminase pathwayADI pathwayArc systemArginine-ornithine antiporter system

Substrate supplementation to enhance bacterial ammonia production, which neutralizes plaque acidity and promotes a healthy microbial shift.