Related Experiment Videos
The role of troponins in muscle contraction
Aldrin V Gomes1, James D Potter, Danuta Szczesna-Cordary
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101, USA.
Abstract:
Troponin (Tn) is the sarcomeric Ca2+ regulator for striated (skeletal and cardiac) muscle contraction. On binding Ca2+ Tn transmits information via structural changes throughout the actin-tropomyosin filaments, activating myosin ATPase activity and muscle contraction. Although the Tn-mediated regulation of striated muscle contraction is now well understood, the role of different Tn isoforms in these processes is the subject of intensive investigations. This review addresses the physiological significance of the multiple Tn isoforms in skeletal and cardiac muscles as well as their role in the regulation of contraction.