Oral Bacterial Glycolytic Enzymes

Oral bacterial glycolytic enzymes are a group of enzymes found in oral bacteria that catalyze the breakdown of carbohydrates through the glycolysis pathway. This process is central to energy production in many oral bacteria, especially those implicated in dental caries, such as *Streptococcus*, *Actinomyces*, and *Lactobacillus* species. The glycolytic pathway converts glucose and other sugars into pyruvate, generating ATP and metabolic acids (notably lactic acid), which contribute to tooth demineralization and caries formation. Key enzymes include enolase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), hexokinase/glucokinase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase. Inhibiting these enzymes, particularly enolase (by fluoride), has been explored as a therapeutic strategy for controlling cariogenic bacteria.

Inhibition of glycolytic enzymes; Interference with sugar transport