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Review
. 2017 Jan;25(1):25-31.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2016.04.027. Epub 2016 May 4.

Histatin peptides: Pharmacological functions and their applications in dentistry

Zohaib Khurshid  1 , Shariq Najeeb  2 , Maria Mali  3 , Syed Faraz Moin  4 , Syed Qasim Raza  5 , Sana Zohaib  6 , Farshid Sefat  7 , Muhammad Sohail Zafar  8
Affiliations
Review

Histatin peptides: Pharmacological functions and their applications in dentistry

Zohaib Khurshid et al. Saudi Pharm J. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

There are many human oral antimicrobial peptides responsible for playing important roles including maintenance, repairing of oral tissues (hard or soft) and defense against oral microbes. In this review we have highlighted the biochemistry, physiology and proteomics of human oral histatin peptides, secreted from parotid and submandibular salivary glands in human. The significance of these peptides includes capability for ionic binding that can kill fungal Candida albicans. They have histidine rich amino acid sequences (7-12 family members; corresponding to residues 12-24, 13-24, 12-25, 13-25, 5-11, and 5-12, respectively) for Histatin-3. However, Histatin-3 can be synthesized proteolytically from histatin 5 or 6. Due to their fungicidal response and high biocompatibility (little or no toxicity), these peptides can be considered as therapeutic agents with most probable applications for example, artificial saliva for denture wearers and salivary gland dysfunction conditions. The objectives of current article are to explore the human histatin peptides for its types, chemical and biological aspects. In addition, the potential for therapeutic bio-dental applications has been elaborated.

Keywords: Antifungal activity; Histatin; Oral cavity; Saliva.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanism of action of human histatin peptides against Candida albicans.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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