Reactive lysis: the complement-mediated lysis of unsensitized cells. I. The characterization of the indicator factor...

This paper describes the characteristics of the indicator factor (I) which takes part in reactive hemolysis and its identification as the seventh component of complement. I was shown to be a beta globulin with a sediment coefficient of 5.7S and a molecular weight of about 140,000. Experiments on the depletion of I activity with anti-I antiserum or with activated R euglobulin showed that I was a late acting complement component necessary for the lysis of cells after the EAC142 stage. Complement component analysis of purified I fractions excluded all known components except C7. The physicochemical characteristics of I are compatible with published data on C7. The method of quantitation described represents a convenient method of testing for C7.