Isolation, partial characterisation and complement inhibiting activity of a new glycoprotein from Cuscuta europea

A new complement inhibiting factor (CIF) was isolated from the seeds of Cuscuta europea parasitic plant. When activated via both classical and alternative pathway, the complement activity was completely depleted by CIF at a concentration of 0,25 mg per ml serum. Studies concerning the precipitation showed that CIF developed one or two precipitin bands against human sera. It was established that the precipitation is as a result of the specific association of CIF to the C3 component of complement. A partial characteristic of the CIF was carried out. It is a glycoprotein with molecular weight between 27000 and 28000 Da. Its molecule consists of one polypeptide chain.