Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, Vol 4, 495-502, Copyright © 1993 by International & American Associations for Dental Research

ARTICLES

Salivary proline-rich proteins: biochemistry, molecular biology, and regulation of expression

D. M. Carlson
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, Davis 95616.

The proline-rich proteins (PRPs) in mammalian salivary glands are encoded by tissue-specific multigene families whose members have diverged with respect to structure and regulation of expression. PRPs are expressed constitutively in humans, and comprise about [70%] of the total salivary proteins. Families of similar proteins are dramatically increased or induced in parotid and submandibular glands of rats, mice and hamsters by treatment with the [beta-] agonist isoproterenol. Feeding tannins to rats and mice mimics the effects of isoproterenol on the parotid glands. Salivary PRPs may constitute a defense mechanism against tannins and other polyhydroxylated phenols ingested. Putative transcriptional regulatory sequences have been identified in mouse PRP genes.

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