Proteomics in Periodontology

Proteins are the main components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. The onset, progression and severity of periodontal disease are mainly mediated by various protein molecules. The use of proteins as diagnostic biomarkers in periodontal diseases has increased over the last few years. Proteomics is the branch of molecular biology that involves study of protein properties on a large scale that helps in understanding the disease processes at protein level. Saliva and other oral fluids give clinically relevant information as they contain diagnostic protein biomarkers for periodontal diseases. These proteomic biomarkers incorporate various host and bacteria-derived enzymes, virulence factors and inflammatory mediators that are the main culprits for the key pathogenic processes in periodontal disease inflammation, collagen degradation and bone resorption. In this review paper an attempt has been made to review the significance of proteomics in the diagnosis and assessment of progression of periodontal diseases.