Effect of seven inhibitors on invertases in homogenates of human dental plaque

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Abstract – Seven known α‐glucosidase/β‐fructosidase inhibitors were examined for inhibitory effect against invertases in pooled human dental plaque. The inhibitors used were acarbose, Trestatin, nojirimycin, 1‐deoxynojirimycin, glucono‐δ‐lactam, conduritol‐B‐epoxide, and Hoe 467A. Plaque homogenates were incubated with l4C‐labelled sucrose and invertase activity was assayed by determination of radio‐labelled monosaccharide after paper chromatography. Conduritol‐B‐epoxide, acarbose, and Trestatin reduced the invertase activity an average of 62%, 51%, and 35% respectively. The other inhibitors affected the enzyme activity negligibly. By combining conduritol‐B‐epoxide with acarbose or Trestatin in other plaque homogenates the inhibition of invertases increased from 35% to 61%. This observation supported the concept that the invertases in dental plaque consist of both α‐glucosidases and β‐fructosidases.