Plackproteiner

Plackproteiner refers to the ensemble of proteins associated with dental plaque, a structured biofilm that forms on tooth surfaces. The term encompasses both host-derived proteins that are incorporated into the plaque matrix from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid, and bacterial proteins expressed by the organisms that inhabit the plaque.

Composition of plaque proteins is mixed. Host-derived proteins such as statherin, acidic proline-rich proteins, mucins, and salivary enzymes can become part of the pellicle and the mature plaque matrix. Bacterial proteins include adhesins and surface-associated proteins used for attachment and intercellular communication, as well as enzymes and structural components that contribute to the extracellular polymeric matrix and nutrient processing. The resulting protein milieu supports adhesion, cohesion, and metabolic activity within the biofilm.

Functions of plackproteiner relate to biofilm development and maintenance. They facilitate initial attachment to the tooth surface, promote cell–cell interactions within the plaque, and participate in enzymatic processes that influence bacterial metabolism and enamel demineralization or remineralization dynamics. The balance of these proteins can affect cariogenic potential and inflammatory responses in surrounding tissues.

Methods to study plackproteiner typically involve proteomic analyses, such as mass spectrometry, applied to plaque samples collected from volunteers or experimental models. Findings help elucidate how protein composition changes with diet, oral hygiene, age, and disease states, and may identify biomarkers or targets for strategies to control plaque formation and its health impacts.

See also: dental plaque, biofilm, proteomics.