Troponin is a protein complex found in muscle tissue, particularly in cardiac and skeletal muscles. It plays a crucial role in muscle contraction by regulating the interaction between actin and myosin, the proteins responsible for muscle movement. Troponin is made up of three subunits: troponin C, troponin I, and troponin T, each with specific functions related to calcium binding and muscle contraction. In medical settings, measuring troponin levels in the blood is important for diagnosing heart attacks and other cardiac conditions. Elevated troponin levels indicate damage to the heart muscle, as troponin is released into the bloodstream when the heart is injured. This makes it a valuable biomarker for assessing heart health.