Evidence for a C4b binding site on the C2b domain of C2

We raised murine mAb against human C protein C2. The representative mAb 3A3.3 (IgG1 kappa) recognized an epitope on the C2b domain of C2, as determined by binding and inhibition of binding radioassays. The hemolytic activity of purified human C2 and of C2 in normal human serum was inhibited by the mAb. The rate of decay of the C3-convertase at 30 degrees C was not affected by the mAb. C2 binding to EAC4b was inhibited by intact IgG and the Fab fragment of the mAb; 50% inhibition required 1 microgram/ml of either. The data suggest the presence of a C4b-binding site on the C2b domain of C2 and that the mAb recognizes an epitope at, or adjacent to, this site. The C2b portion of the C2 molecule may be important in assembly of the classical pathway C3-convertase.