title: Functions of human complement inhibitor C4b-binding protein in relation to its structure.
abstract: Considering the destructive potential of the complement cascade, it is no surprise that there are several complement inhibitors present in blood and expressed on virtually all cells of the body to protect self tissue. C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is a potent soluble inhibitor of the classical and lectin pathways of complement. This large (500 kDa) plasma glycoprotein consists of seven identical 75 kDa alpha-chains and a unique 40 kDa beta-chain that are held together by disulphide bridges. Both types of subunit are almost exclusively composed of complement control protein (CCP) domains. In recent years, detailed studies of structure-function relationships have yielded new understanding of the interactions between C4BP and the activated complement factors C4b and C3b, heparin, and vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant protein S. This review describes the localization of binding sites for a number of C4BP ligands in relation to well-established and novel functions of C4BP such as complement inhibition, protection of apoptotic cells from complement, CD40-dependent stimulation of B cells, and the contribution of a number of human pathogens to pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Lund University, University Hospital Malmö, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden. anna.blom@klkemi.mas.lu.se
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Blom
authors.forename: Bruno O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Villoutreix
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dahlbäck
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001665:Binding Sites; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D003167:Complement Activation; D003179:Complement C3b / Q000378:metabolism; D015935:Complement C4b / Q000378:metabolism; D050716:Complement C4b-Binding Protein; D006493:Heparin / Q000378:metabolism; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008958:Models, Molecular; D017293:Protein S / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021122:Protein Subunits
chemical_list: C055609:C4BPA protein, human; C489165:C4BPB protein, human; D050716:Complement C4b-Binding Protein; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D017293:Protein S; D021122:Protein Subunits; D003179:Complement C3b; D015935:Complement C4b; D006493:Heparin