Characterization of human sublingual-gland protein kinase by phosphorylation of a peptide related to secreted proteins.

Phosphoproteins in human saliva include proline-rich proteins, statherins, histatin 1 and cystatin SA-III. The presence of phosphate in these proteins is necessary for various functions in the mouth including calcium binding, inhibition of precipitation of calcium phosphate, inhibition of growth of hydroxyapatite crystals and adherence to hydroxyapatite. To elucidate the process of phosphorylation of these proteins, the phosphorylation of a peptide (APRP8) with an amino acid sequence identical to one of the phosphorylated sites in acidic proline-rich proteins by a kinase from the human sublingual gland was investigated.

Phosphopeptides derived from human salivary acidic proline-rich proteins. Biological activities and concentration in saliva.

Human saliva contains a large number of phosphopeptides derived by cleavage of acidic proline-rich proteins (APRPs). These peptides were purified by column chromatography and they constituted 0.5% of APRPs in parotid saliva, but 11% of APRPs in saliva expectorated from the mouth (whole saliva), indicating that there is considerable cleavage of APRPs after secretion from the gland.

The primary structures of six human salivary acidic proline-rich proteins (PRP-1, PRP-2, PRP-3, PRP-4, PIF-s and PIF-f).

Human glandular salivary secretions contain several acidic proline-rich phosphoproteins (PRPs). These proteins have important biological functions related to providing a protective environment for the teeth, and appear to possess other activities associated with modulation of adhesion of bacteria to oral surfaces. These functions and activities depend on the primary structures of the PRPs.

The presence and origin of phosphopeptides in human saliva.

The presence of phosphopeptides in whole saliva (saliva expectorated from the mouth) was demonstrated and their origin was evaluated. Whole saliva contained much larger numbers of small phosphopeptides than are found in the glandular secretions. Most of these originated from the acidic proline-rich proteins (PRPs) in the major salivary glands and were formed, after secretion into the oral cavity, as a result of rapid degradation by proteolytic enzymes from extraglandular sources contained in sediment from whole saliva.

Phosphorylation of salivary proteins by salivary gland protein kinase.

Human saliva contains a number of phosphorylated acidic proline-rich proteins (APRP). Monkey parotid saliva contains a similar protein with the same phosphorylated sequences as the human proteins. A crude protein kinase was prepared from Macaca fascicularis parotid glands which phosphorylated human APRP.