Dental Plaque Bacterial Enzymes

Dental plaque is a biofilm composed of bacteria that adhere to the tooth surface, embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. Bacterial enzymes, such as glucansucrase, levan sucrase, levan hydrolase, polysaccharide hydrolases (mutanases and dextranases), proteases, and FruA, play critical roles in the formation, maintenance, and degradation of this biofilm. These enzymes enable initial colonization by converting dietary sugars into adhesive polymers, maintain structural integrity, and contribute to pathogenicity through acid production. Targeting these enzymes offers therapeutic strategies for caries prevention, including inhibitors against glucansucrase or enzyme-based therapies to degrade plaques.

Other names

Plaque EnzymesBacterial Glycosyltransferases (Plaque)Dental Biofilm Enzymes

Enzyme inhibition; Substrate competition; Biofilm disruption