Study on the surface antigens of streptococcal cells.

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In the present study, the nature of cell surface antigens of streptococci, especially mutatis group streptococci was analyzed using several monoclonal antibodies prepared against 8 serotypes of this group as probes. The following results were obtained. 1. Cri-protein, a 185K dalton cell surface glycoprotein antigen specific for serotype a, was recognized. Its type-specific antigenie determinant seemed to be a mannosamine structure on its sugar chain(s). 2. The serotype b-specific antigen was lipoteichoic acid and its antigenic determinant seemed to be a galactose structure. 3. The serotype c, e, and f-specific antigen was a cell wall polysaccharide and its antigenic deteminant seemed to be a N-acdtylglucosamine structure. 4. The surface protein antigen specific for serotype g was also analyzed. However, a certain strain of this serotype did not possess this antigen. 5. The common antigen between serotypes d, and g and serotype h was a cell wall polysaccharide antigen and its antigenic … More deteminant seemed to be contain rhamnose and beta-linked galactose structures. 6. The common antigen among serotype a, serotype d, and serotype h was also a cell wall polysaccharide and its antigenic determinant seemed to be a galactose alpha 1->6 glucose structure. We have established an effective analytical system of the reactivity between the streptococcal antigen and monoclonal antibody, enzyme immunoassay on microtiter plate wells coated with the streptococcal whole cells, cell wall polysaccharide or glycoprotein antigen. Moreover, we have proven the usefulness of competitive enzyme immunoassay as a universal method for analysis of polysaccharides and have developed a reliable immunological method for species identification of mutatis group streptococci. As mentioned above, the present study revealed substantial information on the nature of cell surface antigens of mutatis group streptococci. However, how these antigens are involved in the caries process still has to be further investigated. Less