The Interaction of Salivary Proteins with Tooth Surface

Abstract

Studies of the adsorption of human salivary proteins, in general, and the enzymes amylase, lysozyme, and neuraminidase, in particular, reveal that these proteins differ in their affinities for the surface of enamel. The enzymes studied retained their enzyme activity in the adsorbed state. Only amylase was desorbed by water; lysozyme was desorbed by its substrate; and all three enzymes, as well as most other adsorbed proteins, were desorbed by phosphate.