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The cobra complement system: I. The alternative pathway of activation.
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Cobra complement exhibits an alternative pathway similar to mammals, utilizing cobra venom factor (CVF) and C3. This pathway
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Comparative Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cobra venom contains cobra venom factor (CVF), a C3-related protein.
- CVF forms a stable C3 convertase with mammalian Factor B.
- The cobra complement system's alternative pathway remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the alternative pathway of cobra complement.
- To compare cobra complement function with mammalian systems.
- To determine the role of CVF in cobra complement activation.
Main Methods:
- Hemolytic assays using cobra plasma and erythrocytes.
- Functional assays with alternative pathway activators (zymosan, inulin, LPS).
- Analysis of C5 convertase activity using EAC1423 cells.
Main Results:
- Cobra plasma showed hemolytic activity inhibited by EDTA and heat.
- Activity was abrogated by alternative pathway activators and nucleophiles.
- Cobra complement C5 was activated by human C5 convertase, but CVF did not affect cobra plasma activity.
Conclusions:
- Cobra complement possesses an alternative pathway functionally similar to mammalian systems.
- The cobra complement system exhibits unique characteristics despite similarities.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate cobra complement's intricacies.