Scientists have found a mechanism to protect bacteria from fluoride
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists from Yale (USA) have uncovered molecular tricks used by bacteria to counteract fluorine, which is found in toothpastes and mouthwashes for controlling caries.
In a December issue of the journal Science Express, researchers report that RNA sites, called riboswitches, that control the expression of genes, detect fluoride accumulations and activate the protection of bacteria from its action, including by helping to destroy the teeth.
"Riboswitches are specialized detectors that recognize fluoride," says Henry Ford II, professor, head of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, principal investigator.
Fluoride is a constituent element of many toothpastes, which significantly reduces the development of caries. Toothpaste containing fluoride has become available since the 1950s.
Riboswitches counteract the effect of fluoride on bacteria. "If fluoride accumulates to a toxic level in the cell, riboswitch captures fluoride and then activates genes that can block its action," Breker said.
"We were stunned when we discovered the grip of fluoride riboswitches," Breker said. "Scientists claim that the RNA molecule is not quite suitable for use as a fluorine sensor, since fluorine and RNA molecules are negatively charged and they should not interact with each other, yet we found more than 2,000 similar RNAs in many organisms."
By tracking riboswitches in numerous varieties of bacteria, a team of scientists concluded that these RNAs are ancient molecules and many microorganisms have learned to overcome toxic levels of fluoride throughout their history of development. Bacteria that reproduce in the human mouth have also been shown to protect the riboswitches against the toxic effect of fluoride.
"Cells had to fight the toxicity of fluoride for billions of years and so they developed certain mechanisms to deal with this ion," the study author said. Now that these protective mechanisms have become known, scientists will be able to manipulate these processes and make fluorine more effective in fighting bacteria. Scientists from Yale University discovered protein channels through which fluorine is pumped out of cells. Blocking these channels will lead to the accumulation of fluoride in the bacteria, making it more effective in fighting caries.
Fluoride is the 13th most abundant element in the earth's crust. Its use in toothpaste and water purification began to cause controversy 60 years ago, which continue to this day. In the UK and other countries of the European Union, fluorine is used to a much lesser extent because of the harsh public opposition.
The excess of fluorine greatly affects human health. Accumulation of fluorine extracts magnesium from the lymph of the blood, promotes the washing out of calcium from bone tissue, which in turn settles in the muscles, lungs and kidneys of man. Fluoride salts accumulate in the bones, provoking osteochondrosis, affect the shape, color and direction of tooth growth, the condition and mobility of the joints, the formation of bone growths.
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