Calmodulin is well characterized as an intracellular Ca2+ receptor in nonproliferating tissues such as muscle and brain. Several observations indicate that calmodulin is also required for cellular growth and division. Deletion of the calmodulin gene is a lethal mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Aspergillus nidulans. Expression of calmodulin antisense RNA in mouse C127 cells causes a transient arrest at G1 and metaphase. Although these results indicate calmodulin plays a critical function during proliferation, they do not reveal the function. S. cerevisiae offers an excellent system for identifying calmodulin functions. Because calmodulin mutants can be readily constructed by gene replacement the consequences of mutations in calmodulin can be directly examined in vivo without interference from wild-type calmodulin. The available wealth of information concerning all aspects of the yeast life cycle provides a large framework for interpretation of new results. The recent dissection of cell cycle regulation is just the latest example of the important insights provided by analyzing basic cellular processes in yeast. Whether studies of calmodulin in yeast will reveal a universal function is unknown. One encouraging result is that yeast cells relying on vertebrate calmodulin as their only source of calmodulin survive and grow well, even if the amount of vertebrate calmodulin is equivalent to the normal steady state levels of yeast calmodulin. This review discusses the varied techniques we are using to identify the functions of calmodulin in yeast. As part of the analysis, we are defining the essential elements of calmodulin structure.

Calmodulin↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Composite bonding to dentin and enamel: effect of humidity.

The effect of oral ambient air on shear strength to etched enamel and dentin was determined for OptiBond FL (Kerr Corp., Orange, CA) and Prodigy resin composite (Kerr Corp.). Enamel and dentin specimens of extracted human teeth were treated both in a dry environment and after exposure to oral humidity according to manufacturer's instructions. Shear strengths of this system are 22.6 MPa for etched, dry enamel; 22.2 MPa for etched, wet enamel; and 18.4 MPa for etched, dry or wet dentin. Differences in shear strengths between the wet and dry enamel or the wet and dry dentin were not significant. Multiple Student's t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Fracture modes for all specimens were examined under a stereomicroscope. Within the parameters of this in vitro study, OptiBond FL was not affected by oral humidity.

Composite Resins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Shear bond strengths of six bonding systems using the pushout method of in vitro testing.

The newest generation of bonding systems consolidates multiple components into fewer containers in order to simplify clinical procedures and save clinicians time. Six newer adhesive systems (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus, PROBOND, OptiBond FL, Prime & Bond, One Step, and Tenure Quik) were tested for in vitro shear bond strength (SBS) of a hybrid composite to both superficial and deep dentin at 24 hours and 6 months employing a pushout test method. Results showed significant differences in SBS between superficial and deep dentin for both 1-day and 6-month values for all adhesive systems except Tenure Quik. The SBS of OptiBond FL increased significantly for both superficial and deep dentin after 6 months' storage in 37 degrees C water. None of the other adhesive systems showed a significant change in SBS at 6 months. There appear to be several advantages to the testing method.

Acid Etching, Dental↗