Molecular Classification
Structural Protein, Regulatory Protein
Other Names
Cardiac Troponin I, cTnI, Cardiac Troponin T, cTnT, c-TNI, hs-c-TNT
Disease Roles
Myocardial infarctionMyocarditisCardiovascular disease

Cardiac Troponin Complex Overview

Cardiac troponin is a protein complex found in heart muscle cells that regulates cardiac muscle contraction and relaxation. It is composed of three subunits: troponin C (cTnC), troponin I (cTnI), and troponin T (cTnT). Cardiac-specific isoforms, especially cTnI and cTnT, are released into circulation when heart muscle cells are damaged, serving as sensitive and specific markers for myocardial injury. Measurement of serum cTnI/cTnT is a standard practice for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction.

Mechanism of Action

Biological Functions

Calcium-mediated muscle contraction
Regulation of actomyosin ATPase activity

Disease Associations

Myocardial infarction
Myocarditis
Cardiovascular disease

Safety Considerations

  • Elevated levels can indicate various non-ischemic cardiac conditions, requiring careful differential diagnosis.

Associated Biomarkers

Biomarker
Myocardial injury
Acute myocardial infarction
Heart failure
Myocarditis