Evaluation of three individual glucosyltransferases produced by Streptococcus mutans using monoclonal antibodies.

We previously established murine hybridomas producing a monoclonal antibody monospecific against three glucosyltransferases (I, SI and S) of Streptococcus mutans which contribute to dental caries formation. Here, we developed a new immunochemical technique (cross-dot system) with which individual levels of glucosyltransferases expressed by S. mutans can be evaluated. We also examined glucosyltransferase production and in vitro artificial plaque formation by a reference strain and several clinical isolates of S. mutans. The findings indicate that the levels of glucosyltransferases produced greatly vary with the cells and the culture medium, and that the cells producing high levels of both glucosyltransferase-SI and glucosyltransferase-I enzymes may possess high in vitro artificial plaque forming ability. We suggest that the cross-dot system will be useful for estimating the cariogenic potential of S. mutans isolates.