Glucosyltransferase (GTF)

Bacterial glucosyltransferases (GTFs) are extracellular enzymes primarily produced by cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans within the oral cavity (Frontiers in Microbiology, 2021; NIH, 2018). These enzymes play a pivotal role in the development of dental biofilms by catalyzing the breakdown of dietary sucrose and the subsequent polymerization of glucose into complex extracellular polysaccharides known as glucans (NIH, 2016; NIH, 2023). These glucans, which can be water-soluble or water-insoluble, form the structural scaffold of the dental plaque matrix, facilitating the adherence of bacteria to the tooth surface and promoting microbial cohesion (NIH, 2011; Frontiers in Microbiology, 2018). The resulting biofilm creates a protected, acidic microenvironment where organic acids produced by bacterial metabolism are trapped against the tooth enamel, leading to demineralization and the formation of dental caries (NIH, 2024; Frontiers in Microbiology, 2025). Therapeutic strategies targeting GTFs aim to inhibit their enzymatic activity using small molecules or natural products, thereby reducing the virulence of the biofilm without necessarily killing the resident bacteria (NIH, 2015; NIH, 2023). This anti-virulence approach is designed to prevent tooth decay while minimizing the disruption of the healthy oral microbiome (NIH, 2024; ASM, 2016).

Other names

GlucansucraseGtfBGtfCGtfDSucrose:1,3-alpha-D-glucan 3-alpha-D-glucosyltransferaseSucrose:1,6-alpha-D-glucan 6-alpha-D-glucosyltransferaseGTF-IGTF-SIGTF-SStreptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase

Inhibition of glucosyltransferase activity to prevent the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides (glucans) from sucrose, thereby disrupting the formation and structural integrity of the dental biofilm matrix.