Abstract: An antigenic protein, termed antigen C, present on the cell walls and in cultures of Streptococeus mutans, especially genetic group I (serotypes c, e and f) is separated from other antigenic proteins, notably those which react heart tissue, to give an antigen preparation which may be used as a vaccine or to raise antibodies for use in protecting against dental caries. Antigen C is destroyed or extracted from the cell walls by treatment with boiling aqueous sodium dodecyl sulphate (10 gm per liter) for 10 minutes. It has a molecular weight of 70,000.+-.5,000 and an isoelectric point of 4.45.+-.0.24. It is destroyed by proteolytic enzyme and does not cross react with heart tissue. The antigen also occurs in the culture filtrate and/or cell extract and may readily be separated from these sources by affinity chromatography on immobilised antibody.

Abstract: An antigenic protein, termed antigen A, present on the cell walls and in tures of Streptococcus mutans, especially genetic group I (serotypes c, e and f) is separated from other antigenic proteins, notably those which cross-react with heart tissue, to give an antigenic preparation which may be used as a vaccine or to raise antibodies for use in protecting against dental caries.Antigen A is one of two major antigenic proteins remaining on cell walls of S. mutans genetic group I after extraction with a boiling 10 g/l liter aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulphate for 20 minutes. It has a molecular weight of about 29,000, an isoelectric point of 4.1 to 4.5. Its amino-acid analysis is also given.The antigen also occurs in the culture filtrate and/or cell extract and may be readily purified from these sources by, for example fractional ammonium sulphate precipitation and/or affinity chromatography on immobilized antibody.

Abstract: An antigenic protein, termed antigen A, present on the cell walls and in tures of Streptococcus mutans, especially genetic group I (serotypes c, e and f) is separated from other antigenic proteins, notably those which cross-react with heart tissue, to give an antigenic preparation which may be used as a vaccine or to raise antibodies for use in protecting against dental caries.Antigen A is one of two major antigenic proteins remaining on cell walls of S. mutans genetic group I after extraction with a boiling 10 g/l liter aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulphate for 20 minutes. It has a molecular weight of about 29,000, an isoelectric point of 4.1 to 4.5. Its amino-acid analysis is also given.The antigen also occurs in the culture filtrate and/or cell extract and may be readily purified from these sources by, for example fractional ammonium sulphate precipitation and/or affinity chromatography on immobilized antibody.