troponin

Term: troponin

Literally meaning: “that which is turned”

Origin: Anc Greek

+-τρόπος/tropos(=suffix denoting way, habit, direction or tendency) >τρέπω/trepo(=turn)

Coined/History

In 1965 a protein was found which promoted aggragation of tropomyosin. In 1968, it was determined that this protein which named troponin, was a complex of at least two different protein factors (Ebashi and Kodama) and finally in 1971 troponin was purified for first time (Ebashi et al, 1971).

 

Definition

Troponin is a complex of three calcium-regulated  proteins (troponin C, troponin I andtroponin T) that affects tropomyosin to abolish its sites for actin and allowing the muscle contraction.  Troponin is found on the thin filaments within the sarcomere of all types of striated muscle.