Acarbose binding specificity with oral, bacterial, glucosyltransferase

Mutans streptococcus glucosyltransferases are the significant virulent factors in causing dental caries. The binding specificity of acarbose was probed with glucosyl and fructosyl sub-site binding ligands using multiple inhibition kinetics. The results indicate that acarbose and a glucosyl subsite binding ligand (1-deoxynojirimycin) are mutually or partially exclusive. On the other hand, acarbose with a fructosyl subsite ligand (fructose) might induce a conformational change leading to enhanced binding at the adjacent subsite.