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Cobra venom factor: evidence for its being altered cobra C3 (the third component of complement)
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 26, 1976
Summary
Cobra venom factor is a modified form of cobra C3, a complement protein. It potently affects human complement due to resistance to human C3b inactivator.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cobra venom factor (CVF) is an anticomplementary protein from Naja naja venom.
- Its precise nature and interaction with complement pathways remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the identity and function of cobra venom factor.
- To investigate its relationship with the complement component C3.
Main Methods:
- Antiserum production against cobra venom factor.
- Cross-reactivity studies with human C3.
- Incubation of cobra serum with various activators (endotoxin, hydrazine, storage).
- Assessment of C3 cleaving activity in human serum and effect of human C3b inactivator.
Main Results:
- Antiserum to CVF cross-reacts with human C3.
- A protein in cobra serum exhibits properties similar to human C3, being converted under various conditions.
- CVF's C3 cleaving activity in human serum is abolished by cobra serum but unaffected by human C3b inactivator.
Conclusions:
- Cobra venom factor is identified as a modified form of cobra C3, likely C3b.
- Its potent anticomplementary activity in human serum stems from its resistance to human C3b inactivator.