CALMODULIN (CaM -Short Note)

CALMODULIN(CaM)

INTRODUCTION:

Calmodulin (CaM) (an abbreviation for CALcium-MODULated proteIN). 

It is a calcium-binding messenger protein expressed in all eukaryotic cells.

Calmodulin

STRUCTURE:

SIZE: Small protein approximately 148 amino acid long.

SHAPE: Dumb bell shaped protein with its N and C terminals domains joined by a central helix.

Ca Binding sites:  Total four sites with  each domain having two high affinity calcium binding sites.

Binding of calcium to these sites causes conformational changes in calmodulin and it binds tightly to the target protein.

Structural change in calmodulin makes it encase the target protein tightly

FUNCTIONS:

CaM mediates many crucial processes such as

• inflammation 
• metabolism
• apoptosis
• smooth muscle contraction
• intracellular movement
• short-term and long-term memory
• immune response
• Abundantly found in Enamel and plays an important role in binding calcium.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

some important enzymes activated by binding of Ca to calmodulin are

1.  adenyl cyclase- conversion of ATP- AMP
2.  Calcium dependent protein kinases : many signaling cascades and is thought to be an important mediator of learning and memory, Immune signaling
3. Ca Mg ATPase : regulating the amount of Ca2+ within cells
4. Glycogen synthase- is an enzyme involved in converting glucose to glycogen
5. Myosin Kinase: important in the contraction in muscle
6. Phospholipase-C- enzymes that cleave phospholipids- important in signal transduction.
7. Pyruvate dehydrogenase: transforming pyruvate into acetyl-CoA.

PERIOCHIP

PERIOODONTOLOGY

PERIOCHIP

 LOCAL DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE USED AS AN ADJUNCT TO RSI

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Chlorhexidine chip

INTRODUCTION

It is a resorbable controlled local delivery adjunctive treatment to RSI for the treatment of periodontitis.

COMPOSITION

It is a biodegradable film of hydrolyzed gelatin containing 2.5mg of chlorhexidine.

SHAPE AND DIMENSIONS

One end of the chip is curved and should be placed in the apical direction.

1. THICKNESS: 0.35mm
2. WIDTH:4mm
3. LENGTH:5mm

Since the length is 5mm it cannot be used in pockets with depth less than 5mm.

PROCEDURE OF PLACEMENT

The site to be treated is isolated and dried. Isolation is important as the contact with moisture renders the chip sticky and makes placement difficult. The chip with the help of a flat plastic instrument can be used to place the chip fully to the base of the pocket.

Delivery system  

It is a controlled local delivery system and delivers chlorhexidine to the site at a concentration of 0.125micrograms/ml for 7-10 days

Advantages

Inhibits 99% of subgingival microflora.

It does not stain the teeth.

Does not cause alteration in taste sensation.

Significant probing depth reductions and attachment gains were achieved.

SUMMARY

CHLORHEXIDINE CHIP

COMPOSITION	TRADE NAME	RESORBABLE	TIME	TYPE OF DEVICE
2.5MG OF CHOLHEXIDINE IN HYDROLYSED GELATIN MATRIX	PERIOCHIP	YES	7-10DAYS	CONTROLLED DELIVERY