The membrane-attack complex (MAC) of the complement system forms transmembrane channels. These channels disrupt the phospholipid bilayer of target cells, leading to cell lysis and death. A number of proteins participate in the assembly of the MAC. Fr ...
The membrane-attack complex (MAC) of the complement system forms transmembrane channels. These channels disrupt the phospholipid bilayer of target cells, leading to cell lysis and death. A number of proteins participate in the assembly of the MAC. Freshly activated C5b binds to C6 to form a C5b-6 complex, then to C7 forming the C5b-7 complex. The C5b-7 complex binds to C8, which is composed of three chains (alpha, beta, and gamma), thus forming the C5b-8 complex. C5b-8 subsequently binds to C9 and acts as a catalyst in the polymerisation of C9. Active MAC has a subunit composition of C5b-C6-C7-C8-C9{n}. Perforin is a protein found in cytolytic T-cell and killer cells. In the presence of calcium, perforin polymerises into transmembrane tubules and is capable of lysing, non-specifically, a variety of target cells. There are a number of regions of similarity in the sequences of complement components C6, C7, C8-alpha, C8-beta, C9 and perforin. The X-ray crystal structure of a MACPF domain reveals that it shares a common fold with bacterial cholesterol dependent cytolysins (Pfam:PF01289) such as perfringolysin O. Three key pieces of evidence suggests that MACPF domains and CDCs are homologous: Functional similarity (pore formation), conservation of three glycine residues at a hinge in both families and conservation of a complex core fold [1].
This domain is found in the alpha and beta chains of Complement component C8 (C8A/B), in Complement components C6 (C6) from humans, constituents of the membrane attack complex (MAC) that play a key role in the innate and adaptive immune response by f ...
This domain is found in the alpha and beta chains of Complement component C8 (C8A/B), in Complement components C6 (C6) from humans, constituents of the membrane attack complex (MAC) that play a key role in the innate and adaptive immune response by forming pores in the plasma membrane of target cells. This entry represents the rigid, disulfide-rich epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain, which is included in the regulatory segment of these proteins [1,2]. It is found C-terminal to the membrane attack complex perforin domain Pfam:PF01823 and N-terminal to the thrombospondin type 1 domain Pfam:PF00090.
Usually indicative of serine protease inhibitors. However, kazal-like domains are also seen in the extracellular part of agrins, which are not known to be protease inhibitors. Kazal domains often occur in tandem arrays. Small alpha+beta fold containi ...
Usually indicative of serine protease inhibitors. However, kazal-like domains are also seen in the extracellular part of agrins, which are not known to be protease inhibitors. Kazal domains often occur in tandem arrays. Small alpha+beta fold containing three disulphides.
