Alpha-glucanase and oral care composition containing the same

Abstract

Isolated α-glucanases from Hypocrea tawa, Trichoderma reesei , and Trichoderma konilangbra are described, as well as oral care compositions containing the same. The oral care composition may be employed to prevent or reduce dental plaque.

1 . An isolated α-glucanase comprising an amino acid sequence that is:
 a) at least 99% identical to the mature  Hypocrea tawa  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-635 of SEQ ID NO: 1); or 
 b) at least 85% identical to the mature  Trichoderma konilangbra  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-627 of SEQ ID NO: 3). 
 
     
     
         2 . An isolated polynucleotide encoding an isolated α-glucanase of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . A recombinant nucleic acid comprising the isolated polynucleotide of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         4 . A vector comprising the recombinant nucleic acid of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         5 . A host cell comprising the recombinant nucleic acid of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         6 . A cell culture comprising:
 a) growth medium; and   b) a population of cells of  claim 5 .   
     
     
         7 . A method of producing protein comprising:
 maintaining the culture of cells of  claim 6  under conditions suitable for production of said isolated α-glucanase.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising harvesting said α-glucanase from said growth medium. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising
 receiving an isolated α-glucanase selected from the following:   a) α-glucanase having an amino acid sequence that is at least 99% identical to that of mature  Hypocrea tawa  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-635 of SEQ ID NO: 1);   b) α-glucanase having an amino acid sequence that is at least 85% identical to that of mature  Trichoderma reesei  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-622 of SEQ ID NO: 2); or   c) α-glucanase having an amino acid sequence that is at least 85% identical to that of mature  Trichoderma konilangbra  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-627 of SEQ ID NO: 3); and   admixing said isolated α-glucanase with an orally acceptable excipient to make an oral care composition.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 packaging said oral care composition.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the α-glucanase is not identical to  Trichoderma reesei  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-622 of SEQ ID NO: 2). 
     
     
         12 . An oral care composition comprising:
 a) an orally acceptable excipient; and   b) an isolated α-glucanase of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         13 . An oral care composition comprising:
 an orally acceptable excipient; and   an isolated α-glucanase selected from the following:   a) α-glucanase having an amino acid sequence that is at least 99% identical to that of mature  Hypocrea tawa  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-635 of SEQ ID NO: 1);   b) α-glucanase having an amino acid sequence that is at least 85% identical to that of mature  Trichoderma reesei  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-622 of SEQ ID NO: 2); or   c) α-glucanase having an amino acid sequence that is at least 85% identical to that of mature  Trichoderma konilangbra  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-627 of SEQ ID NO: 3).   
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the α-glucanase is not identical to  Trichoderma reesei  α-glucanase (amino acid residues 38-622 of SEQ ID NO: 2). 
     
     
         15 . The oral care composition of  claim 12 , wherein said α-glucanase is present in said composition at a concentration of 0.0001% to 5% by weight of said composition. 
     
     
         16 . The oral care composition of  claim 12 , further comprising a second enzyme. 
     
     
         17 . The oral care composition of  claim 16 , wherein said second enzyme is a deaminase, esterase, glycosidase, lipase, oxidase, peroxidase, protease, urease or cellulase. 
     
     
         18 . The oral care composition of  claim 12 , wherein said composition is formulated as a toothpaste. 
     
     
         19 . The oral care composition of  claim 12 , wherein said composition comprises at least one of a thickener, a surfactant, a humectant, and an abrasive. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 contacting the oral care composition of  claim 12  with a tooth under conditions suitable for activity of said α-glucanase.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said contacting is performed using a toothbrush. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said method results in prevention and/or reduction in dental plaque.