%0 Journal Article
%T Periodontal Proteomics: Wonders Never Cease!
%A Harpreet Singh Grover
%A Shalini Kapoor
%A Neha Saksena
%J International Journal of Proteomics
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/850235
%X Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are integral components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. Periodontal tissues comprise multicompartmental groups of interacting cells and matrices that provide continuous support, attachment, proprioception, and physical protection for the teeth. The proteome map, that is, complete catalogue of the matrix and cellular proteins expressed in alveolar bone, cementum, periodontal ligament, and gingiva, is to be explored for more in-depth understanding of periodontium. The ongoing research to understand the signalling pathways that allow cells to divide, differentiate, and die in controlled manner has brought us to the era of proteomics. Proteomics is defined as the study of all proteins including their relative abundance, distribution, posttranslational modifications, functions, and interactions with other macromolecules, in a given cell or organism within a given environment and at a specific stage in the cell cycle. Its application to periodontal science can be used to monitor health status, disease onset, treatment response, and outcome. Proteomics can offer answers to critical, unresolved questions such as the biological basis for the heterogeneity in gingival, alveolar bone, and cemental cell populations. 1. Introduction Periodontal tissues comprise multicompartmental groups of interacting cells and matrices that provide continuous support, attachment, proprioception, and physical protection for the teeth [1]. The complex interactions of cells and matrix within compartmental groups make the molecular understanding of periodontium [1]. Visual examination, tactile examination, periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and various periodontal indices are basis of periodontal diagnosis in day to day clinical practice [2]. To develop screening and diagnostic modalities for early detection of periodontal disease is the need of hour. To achieve that, it is important to understand the underlying science and molecular basis of tissue complexity of periodontium. Evolvement with time has brought biomarkers, proteomics, genomics, and metabolomics in the forefront for periodontal diagnosis as well to assess response to therapy [1, 3, 4]. For more in-depth understanding of periodontium, its proteome map, that is, complete catalogue of the matrix and cellular proteins, is required. Proteins are essential part of the metabolic pathways of a living cell and its entire set with the modifications, produced by an organism or system, is considered a proteome. The term ˇ°proteomicsˇ± is a blend
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijpro/2013/850235/