Abstract
Direct evidence has been presented that suggests that glucans are not directly involved in the initial adherence. There has been indirect evidence presented to suggest that perhaps teichoic acids are involved. This results in a paradox, since non-adherent mutants which have been isolated from adults synthesize insoluble glucans and have diminished or absent glucosyl-transferase activity. It seems to me that this leads to several possibilities—either there is a coordinate regulation stimulated by the presence of sucrose in those components that are involved in adherence as well as in the synthesis of glucans or, alternatively, that glucans form a matrix to allow for the attachment of teichoic acids to the cell surface. This in turn would anchor the cells to the smooth surface of the tooth. I’m wondering if there are data that would directly or indirectly cast light on these alternate possibilities.
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© 1978 Plenum Press, New York
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McGhee, J.R., Mestecky, J., Babb, J.L. (1978). Discussion. In: McGhee, J.R., Mestecky, J., Babb, J.L. (eds) Secretory Immunity and Infection. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 107. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3369-2_74
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3369-2_74
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-3371-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-3369-2
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