Function of anti-Streptococcus mutans antibodies: anti-ribosomal antibodies inhibit acid production, growth, and glucose phosphotransferase activity.

Antibodies induced in sera and saliva of rats and rabbits immunized with ribosomal preparations from Streptococcus mutans 6715 inhibited transport of glucose by the phosphotransferase system by greater than 60%, acid production from sucrose by greater than 95%, and growth of the homologous S. mutans by greater than 59%. Inhibition of growth and acid production by immune sera and saliva were abrogated by prior adsorption with S. mutans 6715 whole cells, glucosyltransferase, lipoteichoic acid, or alpha 1-6 or alpha 1-3 dextran. These results indicate that antibodies induced to an S. mutans ribosomal preparation react with cell surface determinants and suggest that the antibodies inhibit sucrose-induced acid formation and growth of virulent S. mutans by neutralizing the glucose-phosphotransferase system.