Proteomic and bioinformatics analysis of human saliva for the dental-risk assessment

• Main Authors: Laputková Galina, Bencková Mária, Alexovič Michal, Schwartzová Vladimíra, Talian Ivan, Sabo Ján
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2017-10-01
• Series: Open Life Sciences
• Subjects: saliva; proteins; caries-susceptible; caries-free; proteomic analysis; bioinformatics
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/biol-2017-0030
• ISSN: 2391-5412

Background: Dental caries disease is a dynamic process with a multi-factorial etiology. It is manifested by demineralization of enamel followed by damage spreading into the tooth inner structure. Successful early diagnosis could identify caries-risk and improve dental screening, providing a baseline for evaluating personalized dental treatment and prevention strategies. Methodology: Salivary proteome of the whole unstimulated saliva (WUS) samples was assessed in caries-free and caries-susceptible individuals of older adolescent age with permanent dentition using a nano-HPLC and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Results: 554 proteins in the caries-free and 695 proteins in the caries-susceptible group were identified. Assessment using bioinformatics tools and Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis revealed qualitative differences between these two proteomes. Members of the caries-susceptible group exhibited a branch of cytokine binding gene products responsible for the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses to infections. Inspection of molecular functions and biological processes of caries-susceptible saliva samples revealed significant categories predominantly related to the activity of proteolytic peptidases, and the regulation of metabolic and catabolic processes of carbohydrates. Conclusions: Proteomic analysis of the whole saliva revealed information about potential risk factors associated with the development of caries-susceptibility and provides a better understanding of tooth protection mechanisms.