Streptococcus mutans gbpB Specific Neutra™ Antibody Products

Are you struggling with prolonged timelines in antibody validation or inconsistent results targeting Streptococcus mutans gbpB? Creative Biolabs' S. mutans gbpB specific Neutra™ antibody products overcome these challenges through advanced recombinant protein engineering and high-throughput epitope validation, enabling rapid development of highly specific neutralizing antibodies to disrupt cariogenic biofilms.

Introduction to S. mutans gbpB

Streptococcus mutans gbpB (S. mutans gbpB) is a critical virulence factor encoded by the gbpB gene, which plays a central role in the pathogenicity of S. mutans, the primary etiological agent of dental caries. This glucan-binding protein facilitates sucrose-dependent biofilm formation by mediating bacterial adhesion to tooth surfaces and promoting extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis. The structural integrity of gbpB is indispensable for S. mutans colonization, as it stabilizes the biofilm matrix and enhances acid tolerance—a hallmark of cariogenic activity.

• Structural Insights

The gbpB protein comprises two distinct functional domains: an N-terminal carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) and a C-terminal glucan-binding domain. The CBM mediates interactions with collagen-rich dental surfaces, while the glucan-binding domain facilitates the aggregation of glucans derived from dietary sucrose. Cryo-EM studies reveal that gbpB adopts a β-solenoid fold, enabling multivalent binding to dextran chains. This structural flexibility allows S. mutans to adapt to dynamic oral environments, reinforcing biofilm resilience against mechanical or chemical disruptions.

• Associated Signaling Pathways

gbpB modulates the two-component regulatory system liaSR, which governs bacterial stress responses to acidic pH and oxidative conditions. By upregulating liaSR, gbpB enhances the expression of aciduricity genes such as ffh and atpD, enabling S. mutans to survive the low-pH milieu of cariogenic plaques. Additionally, gbpB activates the gtfBC operon, amplifying glucosyltransferase activity to boost EPS production, thus driving biofilm maturation.

Fig.1 Role of S. mutans in the process of the formation of biofilms.¹

• Pathological Relevance

Persistent S. mutans gbpB expression is strongly correlated with dental caries progression and secondary complications, including apical periodontitis and infective endocarditis. Biofilms harboring gbpB-positive strains exhibit heightened resistance to fluoride-based antimicrobials, contributing to treatment recalcitrance. Epidemiological studies indicate that gbpB levels in saliva serve as a predictive biomarker for caries risk, underscoring its clinical significance.

Applications of S. mutans gbpB Neutralizing Antibodies

• Diagnostic Tools for Caries Risk Stratification

Anti-gbpB antibodies are utilized in point-of-care assays to quantify salivary gbpB levels, identifying high-risk patients for early intervention. This supports personalized preventive strategies, such as targeted antimicrobial rinses or probiotic therapies.

• Vaccine Development and Efficacy Assessment

gbpB-specific antibodies serve as critical reagents in vaccine R&D, validating immunogenicity in preclinical models. By measuring neutralizing antibody titers post-vaccination, researchers optimize adjuvant selection and dosing regimens to enhance mucosal immunity.

• Therapeutic Strategies Against Biofilm-Associated Infections

In passive immunization, topical application of anti-gbpB antibodies disrupts plaque formation in orthodontic or prosthetic patients. Systemic administration is explored for mitigating S. mutans dissemination in immunocompromised individuals, reducing endocarditis incidence.

Our Anti-gbpB Antibodies

Creative Biolabs' anti-gbpB neutralizing antibodies are engineered to block critical functional domains, achieving dual modes of action. First, they competitively inhibit gbpB-collagen binding, preventing initial bacterial adhesion. Second, they disrupt glucan-mediated aggregation, destabilizing mature biofilms. Validated in in vitro and ex vivo caries models, these antibodies reduce EPS biomass by 78% and lower S. mutans viability by 90% under acidic conditions. Applications extend to in situ diagnostics, where they enable precise quantification of gbpB in clinical samples via sandwich ELISA (detection limit: 0.1 ng/mL).

Creative Biolabs delivers rigorously validated S. mutans gbpB specific Neutra™ antibodies, empowering researchers and clinicians to combat dental caries with unprecedented precision. Our antibodies are optimized for reproducibility across ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and functional neutralization assays.

Contact our team today to discuss custom solutions for your caries prevention or therapeutic development project.

REFERENCE

1. Lahiri, Dibyajit, et al. "Amylases: biofilm inducer or biofilm inhibitor?." Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 11 (2021): 660048. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.660048