Abstract:
The present invention provides methods of making paper utilizing glucans, produced by glucosyltransferase B enzymes of the species Streptococcus mutans, instead of modified starches. The present glucans are functionally similar to the hydroxethyl modified starch and are particularly useful in the sizing and coating steps of paper manufacture. The present glucans also exhibit thermoplastic properties and impart gloss to the paper during the coating step. In particular, the present invention provides plant cells and plants transformed with Streptococcus mutans genes encoding wild-type or mutant glucosyltransferase B enzymes.

Description:
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/478,704, filed Jun. 7, 1995, now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention involves the field of paper manufacture. Specifically, the present invention provides sources alternative to modified starch in paper manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are three major phases in paper manufacture where starch is used as an ingredient. The first is the &#34;wet end&#34; where cellulose fibers are mixed with starch in a slurry, and the slurry is forced through a narrow opening onto a wire belt. Water is rapidly removed as the forming sheet travels the length of the belt. After a distance of typically five to fifteen meters on the belt, the sheet has had enough water removed from it so that it can support its own weight. The sheet travels through a number of foils and rolls wherein more water is removed. It is dried to about 11% moisture. 
     The second phase in paper manufacturing involving starch is the &#34;sizing step&#34;. Here, the paper goes through a sizing press where a starch slurry is applied to the sheet. The sheet again goes through a series of foils and rolls. It is dried on rollers and can be taken off the press as a finished product. 
     The third step involves coating the paper with a mixture of starch and a thermoplastic molecule. On certain lines, this occurs after the sizing step. The nascent roll can also be removed and reinstalled onto a different press for coating. A typical coating device has two blades that run the width of the paper. The blades apply the coating material onto two rolling drums. The paper passes between the drums and the coating material, comprising starch and the thermoplastic moiety, comes off the drums onto the paper. After the paper leaves the drums, it goes through a number of dryers. When the paper is dry, it goes onto a &#34;soft calendar&#34; comprising two drums, one made of a hard density fabric and the other a heated steel drum. The paper passes between the two drums and the heated steel drum is sufficiently hot to melt thermoplastic components of the coating mix providing a hard gloss finish on the paper. 
     The cellulosic wood pulp fibers, typically used in the above process, are anionic in nature. The addition of a cationic starch to the &#34;wet end&#34; slurry acts as an adhesive by cross linking the pulp fibers through salt linkages. Thus a cross linked polymeric network is made, comprising the starch and cellulose fibers. Typically, the cationic starches used in the &#34;wet end&#34; are tertiary or quaternary amines. These amino groups are added to the starch by wet millers. 
     Surface sizing starches are used to impart both strength and smooth finish to the sheet after it leaves the &#34;wet end&#34;. Such starches also prepare the sheet to receive the various coatings. In cheaper grades of paper and in fiberboard manufacture, sizing starches are used simply as unmodified corn starch. For high grades of paper, chemically-modified starches are used. This is important for the application of a smooth, uniform high quality surface to the paper. 
     There is a tendency for starches to retrograde i.e. re-form high ordered structures (both helices and crystallites) in an otherwise gelatinous starch slurry. Deposition of retrograded starch onto high quality paper causes regional inconsistencies on the paper and is unacceptable. Furthermore, retrograded starch in the sizing press may necessitate shutting the line down to clear the apparatus. 
     The starch most often used for sizing applications is a starch having a covalently attached neutral adduct, for instance hydroxyethyl starch. This is prepared by the reaction of ethylene oxide with starch after it is isolated at the wet milling plant. The function of the hydroxyethyl (or similar) adduct is independent of its chemical nature; rather, it serves to provide steric hindrance, inhibiting the formation of high ordered structures. This steric hindrance is critical to decrease retrogradation. The periodic protuberance afforded by the adduct disrupts the formation of higher ordered structures that leads to retrogradation. 
     Speed is of paramount importance in paper manufacturing. Limiting in press speed is starch consistency. Presses often run below their full capacity speeds. Depending on the application, starch slurries are between 3-15% (usually 5-6%) solids. An increase in solids would necessarily result in a decrease in the amount of water that would have to be removed from a paper sheet being manufactured. This would allow the press to work at higher speeds. 
     Hydroxethylated starch also forms higher ordered structures as the temperature decreases or the concentration increases. The formation of the higher ordered structures on the surface of the paper is required. After application to the sheet the starch reforms some of these higher ordered structures and creates a uniform surface that imparts structural strength and facilitates the acceptance of inks and dyes. However, the higher ordered structures should not form in the slurry nor on the application device because this necessitates shutting down the production line to clear off retrograded starch. 
     The function of the hydroxyethyl group is to lower the temperature and/or raise the concentration of starch at which retrogradation occurs. As the processing lines have already been optimized for a particular temperature of the starch slurry, a decrease in the tendency to retrograde would allow for a higher carbohydrate content in the slurry. 
     The mixture applied to the paper sheet in the coating process contains hydroxethylated starch and thermoplastic molecules. The most prevalent thermoplastic molecules used are latexes, such as styrene butadiene. The function of the hydroxethyl starch is as indicated above. The function of the thermoplastic molecule is to form a high gloss finish on the paper. This causes an increased ability to take inks and dyes and improves the resolution, in general, on the printed sheet. 
     Based on the foregoing, there exists a need, in paper manufacturing, for modified starch substitutes which are functionally similar to modified starch. There is a further need to provide substitutes for modified starch which are less prone to retrogradation. There is a further need to provide methods of manufacturing paper which are faster than current methods and allow presses to run closer to their full capacity speed. There is a further need to provide methods of manufacturing paper that are environmentally-friendly and do not involve input materials that require chemical processing. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide substitutes for modified starch which are less prone to retrogradation when used in paper manufacture. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods of manufacturing paper which are faster and more efficient than existing methods. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide substitutes for starch in paper manufacturing that do not require costly chemical modification as does starch. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods for manufacturing paper that are more environmentally-friendly than existing methods. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide substitutes for thermoplastic molecules currently used in the coating step during paper manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides glucans which can be used as substitutes for a modified starch and/or latex in paper manufacturing. The present glucans are produced by glucosyltransferase B (&#34;GTF B&#34;) enzymes of the species Streptococcus mutans, and are functionally similar to the modified starch currently used in paper manufacturing. The present glucans also exhibit similar physical properties to the thermoplastic molecules currently used in the coating step of paper manufacturing. 
     The present invention also provides methods of manufacturing paper utilizing the present glucans, input materials that are produced biologically. Thus, the present methods are more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly than current methods which require input materials producing chemical effluents. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Sequences 
     Seq ID No. 1-the gtfb, cDNA sequence 
     Seq ID No. 2-the GTFB protein sequence encoded by Seq ID No. 1 
     As used herein, &#34;glucan&#34; means a glucose polymer having linkages that are α(1→3), α(1→6), and branching α(1→3,6). 
     As used herein, &#34;amyloplast&#34; means starch accumulating organelle in plant storage tissue. 
     As used herein, &#34;vacuole&#34; means the cellular compartment bounded by the tonoplast membrane. 
     Streptococcus mutans is a species that is endogenous to the oral cavity and colonizes tooth enamel. See e.g. Kuramitsu, &#34;Characterization of Extracellular Glucosyl Transferase Activity of Streptococcus mutans.&#34; Infect. Immun.; Vol. 12(4); pp.738-749; (1975); and Yamashita, et al., &#34;Role of the Streptococcus mutans gtf Genes in Caries Induction in the Specific-Pathogen-Free Rat Model,&#34; Infect. Immun.; Vol. 61(9); pp. 3811-3817; (1993); both incorporated herein their entirety by reference. Streptococcus mutans species secrete glucosyltransferase B (&#34;GTF B&#34;) enzymes which utilize dietary sucrose to make a variety of extracellular glucans. See e.g. Kametaka, et al., &#34;Purification and Characterization of Glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans OMZ 176 with Chromatofocusing,&#34; Microbios; Vol. 51(206); pp. 29-36; (1978); incorporation herein by reference. 
     Both soluble and insoluble glucans are synthesized, and the proteins responsible have been isolated and characterized. See e.g. Aoki, et al., &#34;Cloning of a Streptococcus mutans Glucosyltransferase Gene Coding for Insoluble Glucan Synthesis,&#34; Infect. Immun.; Vol. 53(3); pp. 587-594; (1986); Shimamura, et al., &#34;Identification of Amino Acid Residues in Streptococcus mutans Glucosyltransferases Influencing the Structure of the Glucan Produced,&#34; J. Bacteriol.; Vol. 176(16); pp. 4845-50; (1994); and Kametaka, et al., &#34;Purification and Characterization of Glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans OMZ176 with Chromatofocusing,&#34; Microbios; Vol. 51(206); pp. 29-36; (1987); all incorporated herein their entirety by reference. 
     The proteins involved are large (˜155 kDa) and catalyze the group transfer of the glucosyl portion of sucrose to an acceptor glucan via ∝(1→3) and ∝(1→6) linkages. See e.g., Wenham, et al., &#34;Regulation of Glucosyl Transferase and Fructosyl Transferase Synthesis by Continuous Cultures of Streptococcus mutans,&#34; J. Gen. Microbiol.; Vol. 114 (Part 1); pp. 117-124; (1979); Fu, et al., &#34;Maltodextrin Acceptor Reactions of Streptococcus mutans 6715 glucosyltransferases,&#34; Carbohydr. Res.; Vol. 217; pp. 210-211; (1991); and Bhattacharjee, et al., &#34;Formation of Alpha--(1→6), Alpha--(1→3), and Alpha (1→2)Glycosidic Linkages by Dextransucrase from Streptococcus Sanguis in Acceptor-Dependent Reactions,&#34; Carbohydr. Res.; Vol. 242; pp. 191-201; (1993); all incorporated herein their entirety by reference. 
     The genes involved in glucan synthesis have been isolated and sequenced. See Shimamura, et al., cited hereinabove and Russel, et al., &#34;Expression of a Gene for Glucan-binding Protein from Streptococcus-mutans in Escherichia-coli,&#34; J. Gen. Microbiol.; Vol. 131(2); pp. 295-300; (1985); Russell et al., &#34;Characterization of Gilucosyltransferase Expressed from a Streptococcus-Sobrinus gene cloned in Escherichia-coli,&#34; J. Gen. Microbiol.; Vol. 133(4); pp. 935-944; (1987); and Shiroza, et al., &#34;Sequence Analysis of the gtfb Gene from Streptococcus mutans,&#34; J. Bacteriol.; Vol. 169(9); pp. 4263-4270; (1987); all incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     The structures of the various glucans produced by GTF enzymes are quite heterogeneous with respect to the proportions of ∝(1→3), ∝(1→6) and ∝(1→3,6) branches present in any given glucan. Transformation of genes which encode naturally occurring GTF B and GTF B mutant proteins into plants, such as maize, provides amyloplasts and vacuoles with novel compositions. 
     GTF B enzyme activity incorporated into the amyloplast and/or vacuole leads to the accumulation of starch and glucan in the same amyloplast and/or vacuole. Retrogradation occurs as portions of starch molecules interact and subsequently form inter- or intra-chain helices. In a mixture of starch and glucans, the frequency of starch-starch interactions, that lead to helix formation, is diminished. A paste made from the mixed polymers is less prone to retrogradation as a result. This is especially true in the starch accumulation mutants envisioned as transformation targets where the relative proportion of starch is reduced. 
     Glucans produced in maize amyloplasts and/or vacuoles by the transgenic GTF B enzymes can function in paper processing without chemical modification, as required of starch. The polymer solution consequently has altered rheological properties and is less prone to retrogradation compared to starch. The glucans are branched and irregular and able to supplant modified starches with comparable or superior efficacy. They do not require any costly chemical modification as does starch. For coating applications, the present glucans exhibit thermoplastic properties in addition to the above advantages. 
     The wild type GTF and mutants thereof useful in producing glucans according to the present invention are provided below. The following code is employed: 
     
         ______________________________________Amino Acid    One-letter Symbol______________________________________Alanine       A  Asparagine N  Aspartic Acid D  Glutamine Q  Glutamic Acid E  Isoleucine I  Lysine K  Threonine T  Tyrosine Y  Valine V______________________________________ 
    
     The nomenclature used to identify the mutant GTF B enzymes used to produce the present glucans is as follows: the number refers to the amino acid position in the polypeptide chain; the first letter refers to the amino acid in the wild type enzyme; the second letter refers to the amino acid in the mutated enzyme; and enzymes with multiple mutations have each mutation separated by /. 
     The mutant GTF B enzyme used to produce glucans for paper coating is preferably selected from the group consisting of I448V; D457N; D567T; K1014T; D457N/D567T; 
     
         ______________________________________D457N/D571K; D567T/D571K;                    D567T/D571K/K1014T;______________________________________ 
    
     I448V/D457N/D567T/D571K/K779Q/K1014T; and Y169A/Y170A/Y171A. 
     The mutant GTF B enzyme used to produce glucans for paper coating is more preferably selected from the group consisting of I448V; K1014T;D567T/D571K/K1014T; I448V/D457N/D567T/D571K/K779Q/K1014T; and Y169A/Y170A/Y171A. 
     The mutant GTF B enzyme used to produce glucans for paper coating is even more preferably selected from the group consisting of K1014T; I448V/D457N/D567T/D571K/K779Q/K1014T; and Y169A/Y170A/YI71A. 
     The mutant GTF B enzyme used to produce glucans for paper coating is most preferably I448V/D457N/D567T/D571K/K779Q/K1014T; or Y169A/Y170A/Y171A. 
     The mutant GTF B enzyme used to produce glucans for paper sizing is preferably selected from the group consisting of I448V; D457N; D567T; K779Q; K1014T; D457N/D567T; D457N/D571K; D567T/D571K and D567T/D571K/K1014T. 
     The mutant GTF B enzyme used to produce glucans for paper sizing is more preferably selected from the group consisting of I448V; D457N: K779Q; D567T/D571K; and D567T/D571K/K1014T. 
     The mutant GTF B enzyme used to produce glucans for paper sizing is most preferably I448V. 
     The glucans of the present invention are preferably produced in transgenic maize, potato, cassava, sweet potato, rye, barley, wheat, sorghum, oats, millet, triticale, sugarcane or rice. More preferably, the present glucans are produced in maize, potato, sugarcane, cassava or sweet potato. Even more preferably, the present glucans are produced in maize or potato. Most preferably, the present glucans are produced in maize. 
     In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, maize lines deficient in starch biosynthesis are transformed with mutant GTF B genes. Such lines may be naturally occurring maize mutants (i.e. sh 2 , bt 2 , bt 1 ) or transgenic maize engineered so as to accumulate low amounts of starch in the endosperm when compared to wild type maize. See e.g. Muiller-Rober, et al. &#34;Inhibition of the ADP-glucose Pyrophosphorylase in Transgenic Potatoes Leads to Sugar-Storing Tubers and Influences Tuber Formation and Expression of Tuber Storage Protein Genes,&#34; The EMBO Journal; Vol. 11(4); pp. 1229-1238; (1992); and Creech, &#34;Carbohydrate Synthesis in Maize,&#34; Advances in Agronomy; Vol. 20; pp. 275-322; (1968); both incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     The production of the present glucans is performed according to methods of transformation that are well known in the art, and thus constitute no part of this invention. The compounds of the present invention are synthesized by insertion of an expression cassette containing a synthetic gene which, when transcribed and translated, yields a GTF enzyme that produces the desired glucan. Such empty expression cassettes, providing appropriate regulatory sequences for plant expression of the desired sequence, are also well-known, and the nucleotide sequence for the synthetic gene, either RNA or DNA, can readily be derived from the amino acid sequence for the protein using standard texts and the references provided. The above-mentioned synthetic genes preferably employ plant-preferred codons to enhance expression of the desired protein. 
    
    
     The following description further exemplifies the compositions of this invention and the methods of making and using them. However, it will be understood that other methods, known by those of ordinary skill in the art to be equivalent, can also be employed. 
     The genes which code for the present enzyme or mutants can be inserted into an appropriate expression cassette and introduced into cells of a plant species. Thus, an especially preferred embodiment of this method involves inserting into the genome of the plant a DNA sequence coding for a mutant or wild type gene in proper reading frame, together with transcription promoter and initiator sequences active in the plant. Transcription and translation of the DNA sequence under control of the regulatory sequences causes expression of the protein sequence at levels which provide an elevated amount of the protein in the tissues of the plant. 
     Synthetic DNA sequences can then be prepared which code for the appropriate sequence of amino acids of a GTF B protein, and this synthetic DNA sequence can be inserted into an appropriate plant expression cassette. 
     Likewise, numerous plant expression cassettes and vectors are well known in the art. By the term &#34;expression cassette&#34; is meant a complete set of control sequences including promoter, initiation, and termination sequences which function in a plant cell when they flank a structural gene in the proper reading frame. Expression cassettes frequently and preferably contain an assortment of restriction sites suitable for cleavage and insertion of any desired structural gene. It is important that the cloned gene have a start codon in the correct reading frame for the structural sequence. 
     By the term &#34;vector&#34; herein is meant a DNA sequence which is able to replicate and express a foreign gene in a host cell. Typically, the vector has one or more restriction endonuclease recognition sites which may be cut in a predictable fashion by use of the appropriate enzyme such vectors are preferably constructed to include additional structural gene sequences imparting antibiotic or herbicide resistance, which then serve as markers to identify and separate transformed cells. Preferred markers/selection agents include kanamycin, chlorosulfuron, phosphonothricin, hygromycin and methotrexate. A cell in which the foreign genetic material in a vector is functionally expressed has been &#34;transformed&#34; by the vector and is referred to as a &#34;transformant&#34;. 
     A particularly preferred vector is a plasmid, by which is meant a circular double-stranded DNA molecule which is not a part of the chromosomes of the cell. 
     As mentioned above, both genomic DNA and cDNA encoding the gene of interest may be used in this invention. The gene of interest may also be constructed partially from a cDNA clone and partially from a genomic clone. When the gene of interest has been isolated, genetic constructs are made which contain the necessary regulatory sequences to provide for efficient expression of the gene in the host cell. According to this invention, the genetic construct will contain (a) a genetic sequence coding for the protein or trait of interest and (b) one or more regulatory sequences operably linked on either side of the structural gene of interest. Typically, the regulatory sequences will be selected from the group comprising of promoters and terminators. The regulatory sequences may be from autologous or heterologous sources. 
     The expression cassette comprising the structural gene for a mutant of this invention operably linked to the desired control sequences can be ligated into a suitable cloning vector. In general, plasmid or viral (bacteriophage) vectors containing replication and control sequences derived from species compatible with the host cell are used. The cloning vector will typically carry a replication origin, as well as specific genes that are capable of providing phenotypic selection markers in transformed host cells. Typically, genes conferring resistance to antibiotics or selected herbicides are used. After the genetic material is introduced into the target cells, successfully transformed cells and/or colonies of cells can be isolated by selection on the basis of these markers. 
     Typically, an intermediate host cell will be used in the practice of this invention to increase the copy number of the cloning vector. With an increased copy number, the vector containing the gene of interest can be isolated in significant quantities for introduction into the desired plant cells. Host cells that can be used in the practice of this invention include prokaryotes, including bacterial hosts such as E. coli S. typhimurium, and Serratia marcescens. Eukaryotic hosts such as yeast or filamentous fungi may also be used in this invention. Since these hosts are also microorganisms, it will be essential to ensure that plant promoters which do not cause expression of the protein in bacteria are used in the vector. 
     The isolated cloning vector will then be introduced into the plant cell using any convenient technique, including electroporation (in protoplasts), retroviruses, bombardment, and microinjection into cells from monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plants in cell or tissue culture to provide transformed plant cells containing as foreign DNA at least one copy of the DNA sequence of the plant expression cassette. Using known techniques, protoplasts can be regenerated and cell or tissue culture can be regenerated to form whole fertile plants which carry and express the gene for a protein according to this invention. Accordingly, a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention is a transformed maize plant, the cells of which contain as foreign DNA at least one copy of the DNA sequence of an expression cassette of a GTF B mutant. 
     It will also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that the plant vectors provided herein can be incorporated into Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which can then be used to transfer the vector into susceptible plant cells, primarily from dicotyledonous species. Thus, this invention provides a method for introducing GTF B in Agrobacterium tumefaciens-susceptible dicotyledonous plants in which the expression cassette is introduced into the cells by infecting the cells with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a plasmid of which has been modified to include a plant expression cassette of this invention. 
     For example, the potato plant can be transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens to produce the present glucans. The transformation cassette comprises a patatin promoter, followed by the relevant gtfb coding sequence and the neomycin phosphotransferase polyadenylation site/terminator. See e.g. Utsumi, et al., &#34;Expression and Accumulation for Normal and Modified Soybean Glycinins in Potato Tubers,&#34; Plant Science; Vol. 102(2); pp. 181-188; (1994); (Limerick); incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The transgenic cassette is placed into a transformation vector. For example, BIN19, or lo derivatives thereof, are useful when transforming via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. See e.g. Visser, et al., &#34;Transformation of Homozygous Diploid Potato with an Agrobacterium tumefaciens Binary Vector System by Adventitious Shoot Regeneration on Leaf and Stem Segments,&#34; Plant Mol. Biol.; Vol. 12(3); pp. 329-338; (1989); incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     For maize transformation vectors, the promoters include any promoter whose expression is specific and limited to endosperm cells. Included are those encoding either 22 kDa zein, opaque2, gamma zein and waxy. These lead into the gtfb gene and are followed by the endogenous terminator or the heterogeneous PINII terminator. The GTF B protein are directed to the maize endosperm amyloplast using a suitable transit sequence. 
     Transit sequences useful in directing the enzyme into the amyloplast for accumulation within the amyloplast include but are not limited to ribulose biophosphate carboxylase small subunit, waxy, brittle-l, and chlorophyll AB binding protein. The transit sequences are juxtaposed between the promoter and the GTF B coding sequence and fused in translational reading frame with the GTF B moiety. 
     Transit sequences useful in directing the enzyme into the vacuole for accumulation within the vacuole are well known in the art. For vacuolar targeting, see e.g. Ebskamp, et al., &#34;Accumulation of Fructose Polymers in Transgenic Tobacco,&#34; Bio/technology; Vol. 12; pp. 272-275; (1994); incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     For maize transformation and regeneration see e.g. Armstrong, C., &#34;Regeneration of Plants from Somatic Cell Cultures: Applications for in vitio Genetic M4anipulation,&#34; The Maize Handbook; Freeling, et al., eds, pp. 663-671; (1994); incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     Once a given plant is transformed, the glucans synthesized can be isolated, by standard methods, known to one skilled in the art. The glucan thus obtained in the transgenic plant can be substituted for modified starches and utilized in the sizing and/or coating steps. For formulations useful in the coating step, see e.g. Heiser, et al., &#34;Starch Formations,&#34; Starch and Starch Products in Paper Coating; Kearney, et al., eds., pp. 147-162; (1990); Tappi Press; incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     In both sizing and coating, the present glucans are utilized in an amount of from about 4 to about 15 weight percent, more preferably from about 5 to about 12 weight percent, also preferably from about 6 to about 8 weight percent. Weight percent is defined as grams of molecule per 100 ml solution. 
     The present glucans are used to replace the starch and/or latex molecules completely, or a starch-glucan or a latex-glucan mixture is used in the slurry. In the sizing application, the glucan:starch ratio ranges from about 10:90 to about 100:0; more preferably from about 40:60 to about 100:0; more preferably still from about 60:40 to about 100:0; most preferably about 100:0. 
     In the coating application, the glucan:starch ratio ranges from about 10:90 to about 100:0; more preferably from about 40:60 to about 100:0; more preferably still from about 60:40 to about 100:0; most preferably about 100:0. In the coating application, the glucan:latex ratio ranges from about 10:90 to about 100:0; more preferably from about 40:60 to about 100:0; more preferably still from about 60:40 to about 100:0; most preferably about 100:0. 
     All publications cited in this application are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     Variations on the above embodiments are within the ability of one of ordinary skill in the art, and such variations do not depart from the scope of the present invention as described in the following claims. 
     
         __________________________________________________________________________#             SEQUENCE LISTING   - -  - - &lt;160&gt; NUMBER OF SEQ ID NOS: 2   - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 1  &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 4460  &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Streptococcus mutans  &lt;220&gt; FEATURE:  &lt;221&gt; NAME/KEY: CDS  &lt;222&gt; LOCATION: (9)...(4434)   - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 1   - - ggttccta atg gac aag aaa gtg cgt tat aaa ctg - #cgc aaa gtt aaaaaa      50      Met Asp Lys Lys Val A - #rg Tyr Lys Leu Arg Lys Val Lys Lys      1        - #       5           - #        10  - - aga tgg gtg aca gta tct gtt gca tct gct gt - #g atg act tta act aca 98 Arg Trp Val Thr Val Ser Val Ala Ser Ala Va - #l Met Thr Leu Thr Thr  15                 - # 20                 - # 25                 - # 30  - - ctt tcg ggt ggc ttg gtt aaa gca gat tct aa - #t gaa tcg aaa tcc caa146 Leu Ser Gly Gly Leu Val Lys Ala Asp Ser As - #n Glu Ser Lys Ser Gln             35 - #                 40 - #                 45  - - att tct aat gat tct aat acc agt gtt gtt ac - #t gct aat gaa gaa tct194 Ile Ser Asn Asp Ser Asn Thr Ser Val Val Th - #r Ala Asn Glu Glu Ser         50     - #             55     - #             60  - - aat gta ata acc gaa gcg aca tct aag caa ga - #a gct gct agt agt caa242 Asn Val Ile Thr Glu Ala Thr Ser Lys Gln Gl - #u Ala Ala Ser Ser Gln     65         - #         70         - #         75  - - act aat cat aca gta acg aca agc agt agc tc - #t act tcg gta gtt aat290 Thr Asn His Thr Val Thr Thr Ser Ser Ser Se - #r Thr Ser Val Val Asn 80             - #     85             - #     90  - - ccc aaa gag gtt gta agt aat cct tat act gt - #t ggg gaa aca gct tct338 Pro Lys Glu Val Val Ser Asn Pro Tyr Thr Va - #l Gly Glu Thr Ala Ser  95                 - #100                 - #105                 - #110  - - aat ggt gaa aag ctt caa aat caa aca act ac - #a gtt gac aaa act tct386 Asn Gly Glu Lys Leu Gln Asn Gln Thr Thr Th - #r Val Asp Lys Thr Ser            115  - #               120  - #               125  - - gaa gct gct gct aat aat att agt aaa caa ac - #a acc gaa gct gat aca434 Glu Ala Ala Ala Asn Asn Ile Ser Lys Gln Th - #r Thr Glu Ala Asp Thr        130      - #           135      - #           140  - - gat gtt att gat gat agc aat gca gcc aat ct - #a caa ata ttg gaa aaa482 Asp Val Ile Asp Asp Ser Asn Ala Ala Asn Le - #u Gln Ile Leu Glu Lys    145          - #       150          - #       155  - - ctt ccc aat gta aaa gaa att gat ggt aag ta - #t tat tat tat gac aat530 Leu Pro Asn Val Lys Glu Ile Asp Gly Lys Ty - #r Tyr Tyr Tyr Asp Asn160              - #   165              - #   170  - - aac ggc aaa gtt cgt act aat ttt aca tta at - #t gct gat ggc aaa att578 Asn Gly Lys Val Arg Thr Asn Phe Thr Leu Il - #e Ala Asp Gly Lys Ile 175                 1 - #80                 1 - #85                 1 -#90   - - tta cat ttt gat gaa act ggc gct tat act ga - #t aca tca att gacact      626  Leu His Phe Asp Glu Thr Gly Ala Tyr Thr As - #p Thr Ser Ile Asp Thr            195  - #               200  - #               205  - - gta aat aaa gat atc gtc aca aca aga agt aa - #t cta tac aaa aaa tat674 Val Asn Lys Asp Ile Val Thr Thr Arg Ser As - #n Leu Tyr Lys Lys Tyr        210      - #           215      - #           220  - - aat caa gtt tat gat cgc tct gca cag agc tt - #t gag cat gtt gat cat722 Asn Gln Val Tyr Asp Arg Ser Ala Gln Ser Ph - #e Glu His Val Asp His    225          - #       230          - #       235  - - tat ttg aca gct gag agt tgg tat cgt cct aa - #g tac atc ttg aag gat770 Tyr Leu Thr Ala Glu Ser Trp Tyr Arg Pro Ly - #s Tyr Ile Leu Lys Asp240              - #   245              - #   250  - - ggc aaa aca tgg aca cag tca aca gaa aaa ga - #t ttc cgt ccc tta ttg818 Gly Lys Thr Trp Thr Gln Ser Thr Glu Lys As - #p Phe Arg Pro Leu Leu 255                 2 - #60                 2 - #65                 2 -#70   - - atg aca tgg tgg cct gac caa gaa acg cag cg - #t caa tat gtt aactac      866  Met Thr Trp Trp Pro Asp Gln Glu Thr Gln Ar - #g Gln Tyr Val Asn Tyr            275  - #               280  - #               285  - - atg aat gca cag ctt ggc att aac aag act ta - #t gat gat aca agt aat914 Met Asn Ala Gln Leu Gly Ile Asn Lys Thr Ty - #r Asp Asp Thr Ser Asn        290      - #           295      - #           300  - - caa ttg caa tta aat att gca gct gca act at - #t caa gca aaa att gag962 Gln Leu Gln Leu Asn Ile Ala Ala Ala Thr Il - #e Gln Ala Lys Ile Glu    305          - #       310          - #       315  - - gcc aaa att aca act tta aag aat act gat tg - #g ctg cgt cag act att    1010 Ala Lys Ile Thr Thr Leu Lys Asn Thr Asp Tr - #p Leu Arg Gln Thr Ile320              - #   325              - #   330  - - tcc gca ttt gtt aag aca cag tca gct tgg aa - #c agt gac agc gaa aaa    1058 Ser Ala Phe Val Lys Thr Gln Ser Ala Trp As - #n Ser Asp Ser Glu Lys 335                 3 - #40                 3 - #45                 3 -#50   - - ccg ttt gat gat cat tta caa aat gga gca gt - #g ctt tac gat aatgaa     1106  Pro Phe Asp Asp His Leu Gln Asn Gly Ala Va - #l Leu Tyr Asp Asn Glu            355  - #               360  - #               365  - - gga aaa tta acg cct tat gct aat tcc aac ta - #c cgt atc tta aat cgc    1154 Gly Lys Leu Thr Pro Tyr Ala Asn Ser Asn Ty - #r Arg Ile Leu Asn Arg        370      - #           375      - #           380  - - acc ccg acc aat caa acc gga aag aaa gat cc - #a agg tat aca gct gat    1202 Thr Pro Thr Asn Gln Thr Gly Lys Lys Asp Pr - #o Arg Tyr Thr Ala Asp    385          - #       390          - #       395  - - aac act atc ggc ggt tat gaa ttc ctt ttg gc - #c aac gat gtg gat aat    1250 Asn Thr Ile Gly Gly Tyr Glu Phe Leu Leu Al - #a Asn Asp Val Asp Asn400              - #   405              - #   410  - - tct aat cct gtc gtg cag gcc gaa caa ttg aa - #c tgg cta cat ttt ctc    1298 Ser Asn Pro Val Val Gln Ala Glu Gln Leu As - #n Trp Leu His Phe Leu 415                 4 - #20                 4 - #25                 4 -#30   - - atg aac ttt ggt aac att tat gcc aat gat cc - #g gat gct aac tttgat     1346  Met Asn Phe Gly Asn Ile Tyr Ala Asn Asp Pr - #o Asp Ala Asn Phe Asp            435  - #               440  - #               445  - - tcc att cgt gtt gat gcg gta gat aat gtg ga - #t gct gac ttg ctc caa    1394 Ser Ile Arg Val Asp Ala Val Asp Asn Val As - #p Ala Asp Leu Leu Gln        450      - #           455      - #           460  - - att gct ggg gat tac ctc aaa gct gct aag gg - #g atc cat aaa aat gat    1442 Ile Ala Gly Asp Tyr Leu Lys Ala Ala Lys Gl - #y Ile His Lys Asn Asp    465          - #       470          - #       475  - - aag gct gct aat gat cat ttg tct att tta ga - #g gca tgg agt gac aac    1490 Lys Ala Ala Asn Asp His Leu Ser Ile Leu Gl - #u Ala Trp Ser Asp Asn480              - #   485              - #   490  - - gac act cct tac ctt cat gat gat ggc gac aa - #t atg att aat atg gac    1538 Asp Thr Pro Tyr Leu His Asp Asp Gly Asp As - #n Met Ile Asn Met Asp 495                 5 - #00                 5 - #05                 5 -#10   - - aat aag ctg cgt ttg tct cta tta ttt tca tt - #a gct aaa ccc ttaaat     1586  Asn Lys Leu Arg Leu Ser Leu Leu Phe Ser Le - #u Ala Lys Pro Leu Asn            515  - #               520  - #               525  - - caa cgt tca ggc atg aat cct ctg atc act aa - #c agt ttg gtg aat cgt    1634 Gln Arg Ser Gly Met Asn Pro Leu Ile Thr As - #n Ser Leu Val Asn Arg        530      - #           535      - #           540  - - act gat gat aat gct gaa act gcc gca gtc cc - #t tct tat tcc ttc atc    1682 Thr Asp Asp Asn Ala Glu Thr Ala Ala Val Pr - #o Ser Tyr Ser Phe Ile    545          - #       550          - #       555  - - cgt gcc cat gac agt gaa gtg cag gat ttg at - #t gct gat atc atc aag    1730 Arg Ala His Asp Ser Glu Val Gln Asp Leu Il - #e Ala Asp Ile Ile Lys560              - #   565              - #   570  - - gca gaa atc aat cct aat gtt gtc ggg tat tc - #a ttc act atg gag gaa    1778 Ala Glu Ile Asn Pro Asn Val Val Gly Tyr Se - #r Phe Thr Met Glu Glu 575                 5 - #80                 5 - #85                 5 -#90   - - atc aag aag gct ttc gag att tac aac aaa ga - #c tta tta gct acagag     1826  Ile Lys Lys Ala Phe Glu Ile Tyr Asn Lys As - #p Leu Leu Ala Thr Glu            595  - #               600  - #               605  - - aag aaa tac aca cac tat aat acg gca ctt tc - #t tat gcc ctg ctt tta    1874 Lys Lys Tyr Thr His Tyr Asn Thr Ala Leu Se - #r Tyr Ala Leu Leu Leu        610      - #           615      - #           620  - - acc aac aaa tcc agt gtg ccg cgt gtc tat ta - #t ggg gat atg ttt aca    1922 Thr Asn Lys Ser Ser Val Pro Arg Val Tyr Ty - #r Gly Asp Met Phe Thr    625          - #       630          - #       635  - - gat gac ggg caa tac atg gct cat aag acg at - #c aat tac gaa gcc atc    1970 Asp Asp Gly Gln Tyr Met Ala His Lys Thr Il - #e Asn Tyr Glu Ala Ile640              - #   645              - #   650  - - gaa acc ctg ctt aaa gct cgt att aag tat gt - #t tca ggc ggt caa gcc    2018 Glu Thr Leu Leu Lys Ala Arg Ile Lys Tyr Va - #l Ser Gly Gly Gln Ala 655                 6 - #60                 6 - #65                 6 -#70   - - atg cgc aat caa cag gtt ggc aat tct gaa at - #c att acg tct gtccgc     2066  Met Arg Asn Gln Gln Val Gly Asn Ser Glu Il - #e Ile Thr Ser Val Arg            675  - #               680  - #               685  - - tat ggt aaa ggt gct ttg aaa gca acg gat ac - #a ggg gac cgc acc aca    2114 Tyr Gly Lys Gly Ala Leu Lys Ala Thr Asp Th - #r Gly Asp Arg Thr Thr        690      - #           695      - #           700  - - cgg act tca gga gtg gcc gtg att gaa ggc aa - #t aac cct tct tta cgt    2162 Arg Thr Ser Gly Val Ala Val Ile Glu Gly As - #n Asn Pro Ser Leu Arg    705          - #       710          - #       715  - - ttg aag gct tct gat cgc gtg gtt gtc aat at - #g gga gca gcc cat aag    2210 Leu Lys Ala Ser Asp Arg Val Val Val Asn Me - #t Gly Ala Ala His Lys720              - #   725              - #   730  - - aac caa gct tac cga cct tta ctc ttg acc ac - #a gat aac ggt atc aag    2258 Asn Gln Ala Tyr Arg Pro Leu Leu Leu Thr Th - #r Asp Asn Gly Ile Lys 735                 7 - #40                 7 - #45                 7 -#50   - - gct tat cat tcc gat caa gaa gcg gct ggt tt - #g gtg cgc tac accaat     2306  Ala Tyr His Ser Asp Gln Glu Ala Ala Gly Le - #u Val Arg Tyr Thr Asn            755  - #               760  - #               765  - - gac aga ggg gaa ttg atc ttc aca gcg gct ga - #t att aaa ggc tat gcc    2354 Asp Arg Gly Glu Leu Ile Phe Thr Ala Ala As - #p Ile Lys Gly Tyr Ala        770      - #           775      - #           780  - - aac cct caa gtt tct ggc tat tta ggt gtc tg - #g gtt cca gta ggc gct    2402 Asn Pro Gln Val Ser Gly Tyr Leu Gly Val Tr - #p Val Pro Val Gly Ala    785          - #       790          - #       795  - - gcg ctg atc aag atg ttc gcg ttg cgg cta gc - #a cgg ccc cat caa cag    2450 Ala Leu Ile Lys Met Phe Ala Leu Arg Leu Al - #a Arg Pro His Gln Gln800              - #   805              - #   810  - - atg gca agt gtg cat caa aat gcg gcc ctt ga - #t tca cgc gtc atg ttt    2498 Met Ala Ser Val His Gln Asn Ala Ala Leu As - #p Ser Arg Val Met Phe 815                 8 - #20                 8 - #25                 8 -#30   - - gaa ggt ttc tct aat ttc caa gct ttc gcc ac - #t aaa aaa gag gaatat     2546  Glu Gly Phe Ser Asn Phe Gln Ala Phe Ala Th - #r Lys Lys Glu Glu Tyr            835  - #               840  - #               845  - - acc aat gtt gtg att gct aag aat gtg gat aa - #g ttt gcg gaa tgg ggg    2594 Thr Asn Val Val Ile Ala Lys Asn Val Asp Ly - #s Phe Ala Glu Trp Gly        850      - #           855      - #           860  - - gtc aca gac ttt gaa atg gca ccg cag tat gt - #g tct tca acg gat ggt    2642 Val Thr Asp Phe Glu Met Ala Pro Gln Tyr Va - #l Ser Ser Thr Asp Gly    865          - #       870          - #       875  - - tct ttc ttg gat tct gtg atc caa aac ggc ta - #t gct ttt acg gac cgt    2690 Ser Phe Leu Asp Ser Val Ile Gln Asn Gly Ty - #r Ala Phe Thr Asp Arg880              - #   885              - #   890  - - tat gat ttg gga att tcc aaa cct aat aaa ta - #c ggg aca gcc gat gat    2738 Tyr Asp Leu Gly Ile Ser Lys Pro Asn Lys Ty - #r Gly Thr Ala Asp Asp 895                 9 - #00                 9 - #05                 9 -#10   - - ttg gtg aaa gcc atc aaa gcg tta cac agc aa - #g ggc att aag gtaatg     2786  Leu Val Lys Ala Ile Lys Ala Leu His Ser Ly - #s Gly Ile Lys Val Met            915  - #               920  - #               925  - - gct gac tgg gtg cct gat caa atg tat gct tt - #c cct gaa aaa gaa gtg    2834 Ala Asp Trp Val Pro Asp Gln Met Tyr Ala Ph - #e Pro Glu Lys Glu Val        930      - #           935      - #           940  - - gta act gca acc cgt gtt gat aag tat ggg ac - #t cct gtt gca gga agt    2882 Val Thr Ala Thr Arg Val Asp Lys Tyr Gly Th - #r Pro Val Ala Gly Ser    945          - #       950          - #       955  - - cag atc aaa aac acc ctt tat gta gtt gat gg - #t aag agt tct ggt aaa    2930 Gln Ile Lys Asn Thr Leu Tyr Val Val Asp Gl - #y Lys Ser Ser Gly Lys960              - #   965              - #   970  - - gat caa caa gcc aag tat ggg gga gct ttc tt - #a gag gag ctg caa gcg    2978 Asp Gln Gln Ala Lys Tyr Gly Gly Ala Phe Le - #u Glu Glu Leu Gln Ala 975                 9 - #80                 9 - #85                 9 -#90   - - aag tat ccg gag ctt ttt gcg aga aaa caa at - #t tcc aca ggg gttccg     3026  Lys Tyr Pro Glu Leu Phe Ala Arg Lys Gln Il - #e Ser Thr Gly Val Pro             995 - #               1000  - #              1005  - - atg gat cct tct gtt aag att aag caa tgg tc - #t gcc aag tac ttt aat    3074 Met Asp Pro Ser Val Lys Ile Lys Gln Trp Se - #r Ala Lys Tyr Phe Asn        1010     - #           1015      - #          1020  - - ggg aca aat att tta ggg cgc gga gca ggc ta - #t gtc tta aaa gat cag    3122 Gly Thr Asn Ile Leu Gly Arg Gly Ala Gly Ty - #r Val Leu Lys Asp Gln    1025         - #       1030          - #      1035  - - gca act aat act tac ttt aat att tca gat aa - #t aaa gaa ata aac ttc    3170 Ala Thr Asn Thr Tyr Phe Asn Ile Ser Asp As - #n Lys Glu Ile Asn Phe1040             - #   1045              - #  1050  - - ctt cct aaa aca ttg tta aac caa gat agt ca - #a gtt ggt ttc tct tat    3218 Leu Pro Lys Thr Leu Leu Asn Gln Asp Ser Gl - #n Val Gly Phe Ser Tyr 1055                1060 - #                1065 - #               1070  - - gac ggt aaa ggt tat gtt tat tat tca acg ag - #t ggt tac caa gcc aaa    3266 Asp Gly Lys Gly Tyr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Thr Se - #r Gly Tyr Gln Ala Lys            1075 - #               1080  - #              1085  - - aat act ttc atc agc gaa ggt gat aaa tgg ta - #t tat ttt gat aat aac    3314 Asn Thr Phe Ile Ser Glu Gly Asp Lys Trp Ty - #r Tyr Phe Asp Asn Asn        1090     - #           1095      - #          1100  - - ggt tat atg gtc act ggt gct caa tca att aa - #c ggt gtt aat tat tat    3362 Gly Tyr Met Val Thr Gly Ala Gln Ser Ile As - #n Gly Val Asn Tyr Tyr    1105         - #       1110          - #      1115  - - ttc tta tca aat ggc cta cag ctc aga gat gc - #t att ctt aag aat gaa    3410 Phe Leu Ser Asn Gly Leu Gln Leu Arg Asp Al - #a Ile Leu Lys Asn Glu1120             - #   1125              - #  1130  - - gat gga act tac gct tat tat gga aat gac gg - #t cgc cgt tat gaa aat    3458 Asp Gly Thr Tyr Ala Tyr Tyr Gly Asn Asp Gl - #y Arg Arg Tyr Glu Asn 1135                1140 - #                1145 - #               1150  - - ggt tat tat caa ttc atg agt ggt gta tgg cg - #t cac ttc aat aat ggt    3506 Gly Tyr Tyr Gln Phe Met Ser Gly Val Trp Ar - #g His Phe Asn Asn Gly            1155 - #               1160  - #              1165  - - gaa atg agt gtt gga tta act gta att gat gg - #t cag gtt caa tac ttt    3554 Glu Met Ser Val Gly Leu Thr Val Ile Asp Gl - #y Gln Val Gln Tyr Phe        1170     - #           1175      - #          1180  - - gat gaa atg ggc tat caa gcc aaa gga aaa tt - #t gta aca act gcc gat    3602 Asp Glu Met Gly Tyr Gln Ala Lys Gly Lys Ph - #e Val Thr Thr Ala Asp    1185         - #       1190          - #      1195  - - ggt aaa ata aga tat ttt gat aag caa tct gg - #g aac atg tac cgt aat    3650 Gly Lys Ile Arg Tyr Phe Asp Lys Gln Ser Gl - #y Asn Met Tyr Arg Asn1200             - #   1205              - #  1210  - - cgt ttt att gaa aac gaa gaa ggt aaa tgg ct - #g tat ctc ggt gaa gat    3698 Arg Phe Ile Glu Asn Glu Glu Gly Lys Trp Le - #u Tyr Leu Gly Glu Asp 1215                1220 - #                1225 - #               1230  - - ggt gca gca gtg aca gga tct caa acc att aa - #c ggt caa cac ctg tac    3746 Gly Ala Ala Val Thr Gly Ser Gln Thr Ile As - #n Gly Gln His Leu Tyr            1235 - #               1240  - #              1245  - - ttt aga gca aac ggt gtt cag gtc aag ggt ga - #a ttt gtc act gac cac    3794 Phe Arg Ala Asn Gly Val Gln Val Lys Gly Gl - #u Phe Val Thr Asp His        1250     - #           1255      - #          1260  - - cac ggc cgt atc agc tat tac gac ggc aat tc - #a ggg gat caa atc cgc    3842 His Gly Arg Ile Ser Tyr Tyr Asp Gly Asn Se - #r Gly Asp Gln Ile Arg    1265         - #       1270          - #      1275  - - aac cgc ttt gtc cgc aat gct cag ggt caa tg - #g ttc tac ttt gat aac    3890 Asn Arg Phe Val Arg Asn Ala Gln Gly Gln Tr - #p Phe Tyr Phe Asp Asn1280             - #   1285              - #  1290  - - aat ggc tat gcc gta acc ggt gcc aga acc at - #t aac ggt caa ctc cta    3938 Asn Gly Tyr Ala Val Thr Gly Ala Arg Thr Il - #e Asn Gly Gln Leu Leu 1295                1300 - #                1305 - #               1310  - - tac ttt aga gca aac ggt gtt cag gtc aag gg - #t gaa ttt gtc act gac    3986 Tyr Phe Arg Ala Asn Gly Val Gln Val Lys Gl - #y Glu Phe Val Thr Asp            1315 - #               1320  - #              1325  - - cgc tac ggc cgt atc agc tat tac gac ggc aa - #t tca ggg gat caa atc    4034 Arg Tyr Gly Arg Ile Ser Tyr Tyr Asp Gly As - #n Ser Gly Asp Gln Ile        1330     - #           1335      - #          1340  - - cgc aac cgc ttt gtc cgc aat gct cag ggt ca - #a tgg ttc tac ttt gat    4082 Arg Asn Arg Phe Val Arg Asn Ala Gln Gly Gl - #n Trp Phe Tyr Phe Asp    1345         - #       1350          - #      1355  - - aac aat ggc tat gcc gta acc ggt gcc aga ac - #c att aac ggt caa cac    4130 Asn Asn Gly Tyr Ala Val Thr Gly Ala Arg Th - #r Ile Asn Gly Gln His1360             - #   1365              - #  1370  - - cta tac ttt aga gca aac ggt gtt cag gtc aa - #g ggt gaa ttt gtc act    4178 Leu Tyr Phe Arg Ala Asn Gly Val Gln Val Ly - #s Gly Glu Phe Val Thr 1375                1380 - #                1385 - #               1390  - - gac cgc cac ggc cgt atc agc tat tac gac gg - #c aat tca ggg gat caa    4226 Asp Arg His Gly Arg Ile Ser Tyr Tyr Asp Gl - #y Asn Ser Gly Asp Gln            1395 - #               1400  - #              1405  - - atc cgc aac cgc ttt gtc cgc aat gct cag gg - #t caa tgg ttc tac ttt    4274 Ile Arg Asn Arg Phe Val Arg Asn Ala Gln Gl - #y Gln Trp Phe Tyr Phe        1410     - #           1415      - #          1420  - - gat aac aat ggc tat gcc gta acc ggt gcc ag - #a acc att aac ggt caa    4322 Asp Asn Asn Gly Tyr Ala Val Thr Gly Ala Ar - #g Thr Ile Asn Gly Gln    1425         - #       1430          - #      1435  - - cac cta tac ttt aga gca aac ggt gtt cag gt - #c aag ggt gaa ttt gtc    4370 His Leu Tyr Phe Arg Ala Asn Gly Val Gln Va - #l Lys Gly Glu Phe Val1440             - #   1445              - #  1450  - - act gac cgc tac ggc cgt atc agt tat tac ga - #t gct aac tct gga gaa    4418 Thr Asp Arg Tyr Gly Arg Ile Ser Tyr Tyr As - #p Ala Asn Ser Gly Glu 1455                1460 - #                1465 - #               1470  - - cga gtt cgg att aac t aattgttttt tcgctctctt aagt - #ta    - #4460 Arg Val Arg Ile Asn            1475  - -  - - &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 2 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 1475 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Streptococcus mutans  - - &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 2  - - Met Asp Lys Lys Val Arg Tyr Lys Leu Arg Ly - #s Val Lys Lys Arg Trp  1               5  - #                10  - #                15  - - Val Thr Val Ser Val Ala Ser Ala Val Met Th - #r Leu Thr Thr Leu Ser        20      - #            25      - #            30  - - Gly Gly Leu Val Lys Ala Asp Ser Asn Glu Se - #r Lys Ser Gln Ile Ser    35          - #        40          - #        45  - - Asn Asp Ser Asn Thr Ser Val Val Thr Ala As - #n Glu Glu Ser Asn Val50              - #    55              - #    60  - - Ile Thr Glu Ala Thr Ser Lys Gln Glu Ala Al - #a Ser Ser Gln Thr Asn 65                  - #70                  - #75                  - #80  - - His Thr Val Thr Thr Ser Ser Ser Ser Thr Se - #r Val Val Asn Pro Lys            85  - #                90  - #                95  - - Glu Val Val Ser Asn Pro Tyr Thr Val Gly Gl - #u Thr Ala Ser Asn Gly        100      - #           105      - #           110  - - Glu Lys Leu Gln Asn Gln Thr Thr Thr Val As - #p Lys Thr Ser Glu Ala    115          - #       120          - #       125  - - Ala Ala Asn Asn Ile Ser Lys Gln Thr Thr Gl - #u Ala Asp Thr Asp Val130              - #   135              - #   140  - - Ile Asp Asp Ser Asn Ala Ala Asn Leu Gln Il - #e Leu Glu Lys Leu Pro 145                 1 - #50                 1 - #55                 1 -#60   - - Asn Val Lys Glu Ile Asp Gly Lys Tyr Tyr Ty - #r Tyr Asp Asn AsnGly             165  - #               170  - #               175  - - Lys Val Arg Thr Asn Phe Thr Leu Ile Ala As - #p Gly Lys Ile Leu His        180      - #           185      - #           190  - - Phe Asp Glu Thr Gly Ala Tyr Thr Asp Thr Se - #r Ile Asp Thr Val Asn    195          - #       200          - #       205  - - Lys Asp Ile Val Thr Thr Arg Ser Asn Leu Ty - #r Lys Lys Tyr Asn Gln210              - #   215              - #   220  - - Val Tyr Asp Arg Ser Ala Gln Ser Phe Glu Hi - #s Val Asp His Tyr Leu 225                 2 - #30                 2 - #35                 2 -#40   - - Thr Ala Glu Ser Trp Tyr Arg Pro Lys Tyr Il - #e Leu Lys Asp GlyLys             245  - #               250  - #               255  - - Thr Trp Thr Gln Ser Thr Glu Lys Asp Phe Ar - #g Pro Leu Leu Met Thr        260      - #           265      - #           270  - - Trp Trp Pro Asp Gln Glu Thr Gln Arg Gln Ty - #r Val Asn Tyr Met Asn    275          - #       280          - #       285  - - Ala Gln Leu Gly Ile Asn Lys Thr Tyr Asp As - #p Thr Ser Asn Gln Leu290              - #   295              - #   300  - - Gln Leu Asn Ile Ala Ala Ala Thr Ile Gln Al - #a Lys Ile Glu Ala Lys 305                 3 - #10                 3 - #15                 3 -#20   - - Ile Thr Thr Leu Lys Asn Thr Asp Trp Leu Ar - #g Gln Thr Ile SerAla             325  - #               330  - #               335  - - Phe Val Lys Thr Gln Ser Ala Trp Asn Ser As - #p Ser Glu Lys Pro Phe        340      - #           345      - #           350  - - Asp Asp His Leu Gln Asn Gly Ala Val Leu Ty - #r Asp Asn Glu Gly Lys    355          - #       360          - #       365  - - Leu Thr Pro Tyr Ala Asn Ser Asn Tyr Arg Il - #e Leu Asn Arg Thr Pro370              - #   375              - #   380  - - Thr Asn Gln Thr Gly Lys Lys Asp Pro Arg Ty - #r Thr Ala Asp Asn Thr 385                 3 - #90                 3 - #95                 4 -#00   - - Ile Gly Gly Tyr Glu Phe Leu Leu Ala Asn As - #p Val Asp Asn SerAsn             405  - #               410  - #               415  - - Pro Val Val Gln Ala Glu Gln Leu Asn Trp Le - #u His Phe Leu Met Asn        420      - #           425      - #           430  - - Phe Gly Asn Ile Tyr Ala Asn Asp Pro Asp Al - #a Asn Phe Asp Ser Ile    435          - #       440          - #       445  - - Arg Val Asp Ala Val Asp Asn Val Asp Ala As - #p Leu Leu Gln Ile Ala450              - #   455              - #   460  - - Gly Asp Tyr Leu Lys Ala Ala Lys Gly Ile Hi - #s Lys Asn Asp Lys Ala 465                 4 - #70                 4 - #75                 4 -#80   - - Ala Asn Asp His Leu Ser Ile Leu Glu Ala Tr - #p Ser Asp Asn AspThr             485  - #               490  - #               495  - - Pro Tyr Leu His Asp Asp Gly Asp Asn Met Il - #e Asn Met Asp Asn Lys        500      - #           505      - #           510  - - Leu Arg Leu Ser Leu Leu Phe Ser Leu Ala Ly - #s Pro Leu Asn Gln Arg    515          - #       520          - #       525  - - Ser Gly Met Asn Pro Leu Ile Thr Asn Ser Le - #u Val Asn Arg Thr Asp530              - #   535              - #   540  - - Asp Asn Ala Glu Thr Ala Ala Val Pro Ser Ty - #r Ser Phe Ile Arg Ala 545                 5 - #50                 5 - #55                 5 -#60   - - His Asp Ser Glu Val Gln Asp Leu Ile Ala As - #p Ile Ile Lys AlaGlu             565  - #               570  - #               575  - - Ile Asn Pro Asn Val Val Gly Tyr Ser Phe Th - #r Met Glu Glu Ile Lys        580      - #           585      - #           590  - - Lys Ala Phe Glu Ile Tyr Asn Lys Asp Leu Le - #u Ala Thr Glu Lys Lys    595          - #       600          - #       605  - - Tyr Thr His Tyr Asn Thr Ala Leu Ser Tyr Al - #a Leu Leu Leu Thr Asn610              - #   615              - #   620  - - Lys Ser Ser Val Pro Arg Val Tyr Tyr Gly As - #p Met Phe Thr Asp Asp 625                 6 - #30                 6 - #35                 6 -#40   - - Gly Gln Tyr Met Ala His Lys Thr Ile Asn Ty - #r Glu Ala Ile GluThr             645  - #               650  - #               655  - - Leu Leu Lys Ala Arg Ile Lys Tyr Val Ser Gl - #y Gly Gln Ala Met Arg        660      - #           665      - #           670  - - Asn Gln Gln Val Gly Asn Ser Glu Ile Ile Th - #r Ser Val Arg Tyr Gly    675          - #       680          - #       685  - - Lys Gly Ala Leu Lys Ala Thr Asp Thr Gly As - #p Arg Thr Thr Arg Thr690              - #   695              - #   700  - - Ser Gly Val Ala Val Ile Glu Gly Asn Asn Pr - #o Ser Leu Arg Leu Lys 705                 7 - #10                 7 - #15                 7 -#20   - - Ala Ser Asp Arg Val Val Val Asn Met Gly Al - #a Ala His Lys AsnGln             725  - #               730  - #               735  - - Ala Tyr Arg Pro Leu Leu Leu Thr Thr Asp As - #n Gly Ile Lys Ala Tyr        740      - #           745      - #           750  - - His Ser Asp Gln Glu Ala Ala Gly Leu Val Ar - #g Tyr Thr Asn Asp Arg    755          - #       760          - #       765  - - Gly Glu Leu Ile Phe Thr Ala Ala Asp Ile Ly - #s Gly Tyr Ala Asn Pro770              - #   775              - #   780  - - Gln Val Ser Gly Tyr Leu Gly Val Trp Val Pr - #o Val Gly Ala Ala Leu 785                 7 - #90                 7 - #95                 8 -#00   - - Ile Lys Met Phe Ala Leu Arg Leu Ala Arg Pr - #o His Gln Gln MetAla             805  - #               810  - #               815  - - Ser Val His Gln Asn Ala Ala Leu Asp Ser Ar - #g Val Met Phe Glu Gly        820      - #           825      - #           830  - - Phe Ser Asn Phe Gln Ala Phe Ala Thr Lys Ly - #s Glu Glu Tyr Thr Asn    835          - #       840          - #       845  - - Val Val Ile Ala Lys Asn Val Asp Lys Phe Al - #a Glu Trp Gly Val Thr850              - #   855              - #   860  - - Asp Phe Glu Met Ala Pro Gln Tyr Val Ser Se - #r Thr Asp Gly Ser Phe 865                 8 - #70                 8 - #75                 8 -#80   - - Leu Asp Ser Val Ile Gln Asn Gly Tyr Ala Ph - #e Thr Asp Arg TyrAsp             885  - #               890  - #               895  - - Leu Gly Ile Ser Lys Pro Asn Lys Tyr Gly Th - #r Ala Asp Asp Leu Val        900      - #           905      - #           910  - - Lys Ala Ile Lys Ala Leu His Ser Lys Gly Il - #e Lys Val Met Ala Asp    915          - #       920          - #       925  - - Trp Val Pro Asp Gln Met Tyr Ala Phe Pro Gl - #u Lys Glu Val Val Thr930              - #   935              - #   940  - - Ala Thr Arg Val Asp Lys Tyr Gly Thr Pro Va - #l Ala Gly Ser Gln Ile 945                 9 - #50                 9 - #55                 9 -#60   - - Lys Asn Thr Leu Tyr Val Val Asp Gly Lys Se - #r Ser Gly Lys AspGln             965  - #               970  - #               975  - - Gln Ala Lys Tyr Gly Gly Ala Phe Leu Glu Gl - #u Leu Gln Ala Lys Tyr        980      - #           985      - #           990  - - Pro Glu Leu Phe Ala Arg Lys Gln Ile Ser Th - #r Gly Val Pro Met Asp    995          - #       1000          - #      1005  - - Pro Ser Val Lys Ile Lys Gln Trp Ser Ala Ly - #s Tyr Phe Asn Gly Thr1010             - #   1015              - #  1020  - - Asn Ile Leu Gly Arg Gly Ala Gly Tyr Val Le - #u Lys Asp Gln Ala Thr 1025                1030 - #                1035 - #               1040  - - Asn Thr Tyr Phe Asn Ile Ser Asp Asn Lys Gl - #u Ile Asn Phe Leu Pro            1045 - #               1050  - #              1055  - - Lys Thr Leu Leu Asn Gln Asp Ser Gln Val Gl - #y Phe Ser Tyr Asp Gly        1060     - #           1065      - #          1070  - - Lys Gly Tyr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Thr Ser Gly Ty - #r Gln Ala Lys Asn Thr    1075         - #       1080          - #      1085  - - Phe Ile Ser Glu Gly Asp Lys Trp Tyr Tyr Ph - #e Asp Asn Asn Gly Tyr1090             - #   1095              - #  1100  - - Met Val Thr Gly Ala Gln Ser Ile Asn Gly Va - #l Asn Tyr Tyr Phe Leu 1105                1110 - #                1115 - #               1120  - - Ser Asn Gly Leu Gln Leu Arg Asp Ala Ile Le - #u Lys Asn Glu Asp Gly            1125 - #               1130  - #              1135  - - Thr Tyr Ala Tyr Tyr Gly Asn Asp Gly Arg Ar - #g Tyr Glu Asn Gly Tyr        1140     - #           1145      - #          1150  - - Tyr Gln Phe Met Ser Gly Val Trp Arg His Ph - #e Asn Asn Gly Glu Met    1155         - #       1160          - #      1165  - - Ser Val Gly Leu Thr Val Ile Asp Gly Gln Va - #l Gln Tyr Phe Asp Glu1170             - #   1175              - #  1180  - - Met Gly Tyr Gln Ala Lys Gly Lys Phe Val Th - #r Thr Ala Asp Gly Lys 1185                1190 - #                1195 - #               1200  - - Ile Arg Tyr Phe Asp Lys Gln Ser Gly Asn Me - #t Tyr Arg Asn Arg Phe            1205 - #               1210  - #              1215  - - Ile Glu Asn Glu Glu Gly Lys Trp Leu Tyr Le - #u Gly Glu Asp Gly Ala        1220     - #           1225      - #          1230  - - Ala Val Thr Gly Ser Gln Thr Ile Asn Gly Gl - #n His Leu Tyr Phe Arg    1235         - #       1240          - #      1245  - - Ala Asn Gly Val Gln Val Lys Gly Glu Phe Va - #l Thr Asp His His Gly1250             - #   1255              - #  1260  - - Arg Ile Ser Tyr Tyr Asp Gly Asn Ser Gly As - #p Gln Ile Arg Asn Arg 1265                1270 - #                1275 - #               1280  - - Phe Val Arg Asn Ala Gln Gly Gln Trp Phe Ty - #r Phe Asp Asn Asn Gly            1285 - #               1290  - #              1295  - - Tyr Ala Val Thr Gly Ala Arg Thr Ile Asn Gl - #y Gln Leu Leu Tyr Phe        1300     - #           1305      - #          1310  - - Arg Ala Asn Gly Val Gln Val Lys Gly Glu Ph - #e Val Thr Asp Arg Tyr    1315         - #       1320          - #      1325  - - Gly Arg Ile Ser Tyr Tyr Asp Gly Asn Ser Gl - #y Asp Gln Ile Arg Asn1330             - #   1335              - #  1340  - - Arg Phe Val Arg Asn Ala Gln Gly Gln Trp Ph - #e Tyr Phe Asp Asn Asn 1345                1350 - #                1355 - #               1360  - - Gly Tyr Ala Val Thr Gly Ala Arg Thr Ile As - #n Gly Gln His Leu Tyr            1365 - #               1370  - #              1375  - - Phe Arg Ala Asn Gly Val Gln Val Lys Gly Gl - #u Phe Val Thr Asp Arg        1380     - #           1385      - #          1390  - - His Gly Arg Ile Ser Tyr Tyr Asp Gly Asn Se - #r Gly Asp Gln Ile Arg    1395         - #       1400          - #      1405  - - Asn Arg Phe Val Arg Asn Ala Gln Gly Gln Tr - #p Phe Tyr Phe Asp Asn1410             - #   1415              - #  1420  - - Asn Gly Tyr Ala Val Thr Gly Ala Arg Thr Il - #e Asn Gly Gln His Leu 1425                1430 - #                1435 - #               1440  - - Tyr Phe Arg Ala Asn Gly Val Gln Val Lys Gl - #y Glu Phe Val Thr Asp            1445 - #               1450  - #              1455  - - Arg Tyr Gly Arg Ile Ser Tyr Tyr Asp Ala As - #n Ser Gly Glu Arg Val        1460     - #           1465      - #          1470  - - Arg Ile Asn    1475__________________________________________________________________________