TRANSGLUTAMINASE-CATALYZED POLYMERIZATION OF TROPONIN IN-VITRO

In the presence of calcium ions, tissue transglutaminase catalyzes the polymerization of skeletal muscle troponin to high molecular weight i nsoluble aggregate. The specific action of transglutaminase is proved by the isolation of glutamyl-spermidine isopeptide derivatives. The pr ocess involves mainly the troponin T subunit (TnT), with formation of dimers and trimers of TnT, which were reactive with specific antibodie s by immunoblotting. Furthermore when incubation is carried out in the presence of radioactive polyamines, the label is incorporated selecti vely into TnT subunits. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.