Troponin C

Troponin C (pronounced: troh-POH-nin see) is a protein that plays a crucial role in the contraction of striated muscle tissues. It is part of the troponin complex, which also includes Troponin I and Troponin T.

Etymology

The term "Troponin" is derived from the Greek words "tropos" meaning "turn" and "nema" meaning "thread". The "C" in Troponin C stands for "calcium-binding", which describes the protein's primary function.

Function

Troponin C is responsible for binding calcium ions, which triggers a conformational change in the troponin complex. This change allows tropomyosin to move away from the actin binding sites, enabling myosin to bind to actin and initiate muscle contraction.

Clinical Significance

In a clinical setting, Troponin C is not typically measured. Instead, levels of Troponin I and Troponin T are often used as biomarkers for myocardial infarction (heart attack), as these proteins are released into the bloodstream when heart muscle is damaged.

Related Terms

• Troponin
• Troponin I
• Troponin T
• Calcium
• Tropomyosin
• Actin
• Myosin
• Myocardial Infarction

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Troponin C
• Wikipedia's article - Troponin C

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