Isolation of human cardiac troponin T and localization of epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies to cardiac troponin T.

Human cardiac troponin T has been isolated and its properties compared with those of rabbit skeletal and bovine cardiac troponin T. Seven monoclonal antibodies to troponin T have been obtained. Two antibodies cross-reacted with both cardiac and skeletal troponin T and recognized epitopes located between residues 98-177 of bovine cardiac troponin T. Five other antibodies were specific for cardiac troponin T and recognized antigenic determinants located between residues 180-258 of bovine cardiac troponin T. Localization of antigenic determinants in the central part of troponin T seems to be due to the high hydrophilicity and flexibility of this part of the molecule. The monoclonal antibodies thus obtained may be used for diagnosing various types of human heart diseases.