title: Evolution of the initiating enzymes of the complement system.
abstract: Analysis of the human MASP-1/3 gene, which encodes two proteases of the lectin-triggered complement cascade, has revealed alternatively used serine-protease-encoding regions for the gene's two protein products. Phylogenetic studies indicate that one arose by retrotransposition early in vertebrate evolution, supporting the idea that the lectin branch of the complement cascade arose earlier than the 'classical' pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. mnonaka@biol.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nonaka
authors.forename: Seita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyazawa
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005796:Genes / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics; D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes; D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases