However, if the ischemia is more prolonged and severe (such as in severe sepsis or MI), the activity of proteolytic enzymes will be greater, leading to the cleavage of the structural fraction of cTns (proteins that are part of the troponin-tropomyosin complex) and consequently to a greater release of cTn molecules from MCs. The gene discussed is CTNS; the disease is myocardial infarction.