Figure 6 | Scientific Reports

Figure 6

From: Proline-rich protein from S. mutans can perform a competitive mineralization function to enhance bacterial adhesion to teeth

Figure 6

Schematic model of nanochains and nanosphere net. AmH showed end-to-end connection; Ag I/II showed body-to-body connection. The monomers (D = 3 ~ 5 nm), oligomers (D = 7 ~ 15 nm) and nanospheres (D = 10–40 nm) in AmH and Ag I/II were probably comparable in size. However, the long linear structure of Ag I/II offered open-ended connection sites, which induced body-to-body link. As compared to the end-to-end connections seen in AmH, this multipoint joint increased the number of connection sites and promoted multiple types of crystal nucleation and growth. Therefore, the final structures of AmH and Ag I/II would be nanochains and a nanosphere net.

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