Complement C3 is synthesized as a single chain of 185kD and is processed in the plasma to a disulfide-linked heterodimer consisting of an alpha-chain (115kD) and a beta-chain (70kD). During complement activation, C3 is cleaved by C3 convertases to C3a (9kD) and C3b (176kD) comprised of the large C-terminal portion of the alpha-chain and the beta-chain. Factor I further cleaves C3b into C3c (140kD), C3d (35kD), and C3g (7kD). The current protocol yields C3c, however intact C3 and/or C3a/C3b may be co-purified. It is thought that the complement system might play a role in many diseases with an immune component, such as Alzheimers disease, asthma, lupus erythematosus, various forms of arthritis, autoimmune heart disease and multiple sclerosis. Deficiencies of the terminal pathway predispose to both autoimmune disease and infections (particularly meningitis). Storage and Stability: Lyophilized and reconstituted products are stable for 6 months after receipt at -20C. Reconstitute with sterile ddH2O. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.
Molecular Weight:
138000
Purity:
95% (SDS-PAGE)
Form:
Supplied as a lyophilized powder in PBS, pH 7.4. Reconstitute with sterile dH2O.
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