Isolation and characterization of the complement-inhibiting protein CD59 antigen from platelet membranes

Several groups have recently described the isolation of a 20 kDa membrane-attack-complex (MAC)-inhibiting protein, termed 'CD59 antigen', from human erythrocyte membranes. Antibodies raised against erythrocyte CD59 antigen detect antigen on the surface of many other cell types, and in some of these cells the antigen has been shown to have a molecular mass similar to that of the erythrocyte protein and to confer resistance to lysis by the MAC. A platelet-membrane form of CD59 antigen has been described and reported to be much larger than the erythrocyte protein. Here I report the isolation of CD59 antigen from platelet membranes and its molecular and functional characterization. The platelet protein is not significantly larger than the erythrocyte form and possesses similar MAC-inhibiting activity. Platelet CD59 antigen is anchored to the membrane via a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol link, and consequently it is suggested that deficiency of this protein might be responsible for the increased thrombotic tendency observed in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.