Cloning and sequencing of the canine and feline cardiac troponin I genes.

Objective: To determine the gene sequences of canine and feline cardiac troponin I (cTnI), express the protein from the cloned gene in vitro, and validate the use of a commercial cTnI serum analyzer in these species via detection of the expressed protein or comparison of sequence homology.

Sample Population: Samples of ventricular myocardium from 5 healthy adult mixed-breed dogs and 5 healthy adult domestic shorthair cats.

Procedure: The RNA was extracted from myocardial samples, and cDNA was synthesized via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and sequenced.