Isolation, characterization and utilization of the fifth component (C5) of porcine complement

The fifth component (C5) of porcine complement was isolated in immunochemically pure, homogeneous and native form. The isolated component was characterized, it has a molecular weight of 187,000 (under non-reducing conditions) and two non-identical chains of 112,000 and 76,000 under reducing conditions, respectively. The isolated C5 can be used for the detection of the C5b receptors on murine macrophages. Our findings are in good agreement with the results obtained using a rabbit and a human model, which suggests a high conservativeness of C5 during evolution. The described method of isolation of C5 from easily available porcine serum seems to be convenient for C5 receptors studies.