Protein profiling of Streptococcus mutans isolated from the surface of the tongue in children with early childhood caries

The pathogenesis of early childhood caries (ECC) is influenced by the virulence factors of Streptococcus mutans, a major etiological factor of dental caries protein profile. To analyze the differences in the protein profiles of S. mutans isolated from the surface of the tongue in ECC and caries-free children. Saliva samples were collected from 32 children (16 with ECC and 16 caries-free). Protein profiling was performed using the SDS-PAGE method. Examination of protein bands on the polyacrylamide gel revealed differences in the frequencies of several S. mutans proteins. The molecular weights of the proteins observed in the ECC and free caries children were as follows: 13, 29, 39, 41.3, 74, and 94.5 kDa. The proteins virulent to ECC (41.3 kDa and 74 kDa) were more frequently expressed in children with ECC when compared to the caries-free children. Differences in the protein profiles of S. mutans isolated from the tongue were observed between the ECC and caries-free children in this study.