SALIVARY PROTEINS ASSOCIATED W/ ORAL ANTI FUNGICIDAL ACTIVITY

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Proteins secreted by the parotid glands are significant components of saliva. These proteins have a variety of known functions including involvement in digestion and prevention of bacterial and fungicidal growth. These studies examine the components of human saliva which have anti-fungicidal activity. Proteins are partially purified by HPLC, affinity and ion exchange chromatography. Fractions demonstrating anti-fungicidal activity are used for protein and mass spectral analysis. Using MALDI-TOF and triple quadrupole MS, several proteins including the histatins and statherin have been identified as having anti-fungicidal activity. It is also apparent that a salivary protein complex, as compared to individual proteins, demonstrates higher anti-fungicidal activity. The protein components of this active complex are being identified and structurally characterized using proteomic techniques, including in-gel protease digestion and tandem MS.