"Fast isoamylases" in the parotid saliva of children with cystic fibrosis and heterozygous carriers.

On electrophoresis, parotid saliva always exhibits a basic pattern of 6 isoamylases. 
Additional faster migrating isoamylases occur in varying numbers. These "fast isoamylases" 
are generated, at least in part, by deamidation. Compared with juvenile 
and adult controls, a significantly greater number of "fast isoamylases" was 
found in the parotid saliva of children with cystic fibrosis and 
their healthy heterozygous parents. A shift in the equilibrium between amidation 
and deamidation is discussed in terms of its possible connection with 
the metabolic defect responsible for cystic fibrosis. 