Component 5 of the complement system (C5) is an integral part of the highly regulated complement cascade that guides inflammatory responses, facilitates the removal of dying cells, and promotes phagocytosis and pathogen destruction. Instead of occupying the central position within the complement cascade like C3, C5 functions as a pivotal component in the comparatively distant terminal pathway.
The mature C5 molecule includes an α-chain and a β-chain conjoined by a disulfide bridge. C5 convertase C3bBbC3b has the ability to cleave C5, thereby liberating the two fragments C5a and C5b. The anaphylatoxic peptide C5a plays manifold roles in immune modulation, while the relatively longer C5b fragment has the capacity to recruit additional complement components, assembling the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC). This structure either triggers intracellular signaling pathways or forms perforations directly on the cell membrane, thereby serving as a crucial effector of the downstream complement cascade.
Fig.1 Complement system.1
Reference
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