Biomaterial Database

Molecular weight of the membrane C5b-9 complex of human complement: characterization of the terminal complex as a C5b-9 monomer. 1981

S Bhakdi, and J Tranum-Jensen

The hydrodynamic properties of the detergent-solubilized, terminal membrane complex of serum complement components C5-C9 [C5b-9(m)] were studied to obtain an estimate of its molecular weight. In a solution of Triton X-100/deoxycholate, the protein complex binds 17% Triton X-100 and 11% deoxycholate by weight. The sedimentation coefficient of the protein-detergent complex is 26 S as determined by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, and gel filtration indicated a molecular radius of 11 nm. It was ascertained by electron microscopy that these hydrodynamic parameters apply to mono-dispersed C5b-9(m) complexes, which were observed as nonaggregated, hollow protein cylinders and were identical to the complement "lesions" formed on target membranes. The calculated molecular weight of the protein-detergent complex is approximately 1,286,300 to which the protein moiety contributes approximately 1,000,000. The results indicate that the C5b-9(m) complex formed on biological membranes is a monomer entity of the C5-C9 complement components.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008566	Membranes	Thin layers of tissue which cover parts of the body, separate adjacent cavities, or connect adjacent structures.	Membrane Tissue,Membrane,Membrane Tissues,Tissue, Membrane,Tissues, Membrane
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D008970	Molecular Weight	The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule.	Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D011092	Polyethylene Glycols	Polymers of ETHYLENE OXIDE and water, and their ethers. They vary in consistency from liquid to solid depending on the molecular weight indicated by a number following the name. They are used as SURFACTANTS, dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, and tablet excipients. Some specific groups are NONOXYNOLS, OCTOXYNOLS, and POLOXAMERS.	Macrogols,Polyoxyethylenes,Carbowax,Macrogol,Polyethylene Glycol,Polyethylene Oxide,Polyethyleneoxide,Polyglycol,Glycol, Polyethylene,Glycols, Polyethylene,Oxide, Polyethylene,Oxides, Polyethylene,Polyethylene Oxides,Polyethyleneoxides,Polyglycols,Polyoxyethylene
D011485	Protein Binding	The process in which substances, either endogenous or exogenous, bind to proteins, peptides, enzymes, protein precursors, or allied compounds. Specific protein-binding measures are often used as assays in diagnostic assessments.	Plasma Protein Binding Capacity,Binding, Protein
D011487	Protein Conformation	The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a protein, including the secondary, supersecondary (motifs), tertiary (domains) and quaternary structure of the peptide chain. PROTEIN STRUCTURE, QUATERNARY describes the conformation assumed by multimeric proteins (aggregates of more than one polypeptide chain).	Conformation, Protein,Conformations, Protein,Protein Conformations
D003165	Complement System Proteins	Serum glycoproteins participating in the host defense mechanism of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION that creates the COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX. Included are glycoproteins in the various pathways of complement activation (CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; ALTERNATIVE COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; and LECTIN COMPLEMENT PATHWAY).	Complement Proteins,Complement,Complement Protein,Hemolytic Complement,Complement, Hemolytic,Protein, Complement,Proteins, Complement,Proteins, Complement System
D003840	Deoxycholic Acid	A bile acid formed by bacterial action from cholate. It is usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. Deoxycholic acid acts as a detergent to solubilize fats for intestinal absorption, is reabsorbed itself, and is used as a choleretic and detergent.	Deoxycholate,Desoxycholic Acid,Kybella,Choleic Acid,Deoxycholic Acid, 12beta-Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, 3beta-Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, 5alpha-Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, Disodium Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Magnesium (2:1) Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Monoammonium Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Monopotassium Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Deoxycholic Acid, Sodium Salt, 12beta-Isomer,Dihydroxycholanoic Acid,Lagodeoxycholic Acid,Sodium Deoxycholate,12beta-Isomer Deoxycholic Acid,3beta-Isomer Deoxycholic Acid,5alpha-Isomer Deoxycholic Acid,Deoxycholate, Sodium,Deoxycholic Acid, 12beta Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, 3beta Isomer,Deoxycholic Acid, 5alpha Isomer
D003902	Detergents	Purifying or cleansing agents, usually salts of long-chain aliphatic bases or acids, that exert cleansing (oil-dissolving) and antimicrobial effects through a surface action that depends on possessing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.	Cleansing Agents,Detergent Pods,Laundry Detergent Pods,Laundry Pods,Syndet,Synthetic Detergent,Agent, Cleansing,Agents, Cleansing,Cleansing Agent,Detergent,Detergent Pod,Detergent Pod, Laundry,Detergent Pods, Laundry,Detergent, Synthetic,Detergents, Synthetic,Laundry Detergent Pod,Laundry Pod,Pod, Detergent,Pod, Laundry,Pod, Laundry Detergent,Pods, Detergent,Pods, Laundry,Pods, Laundry Detergent,Synthetic Detergents
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man