title: The initiating proteases of the complement system: controlling the cleavage.
abstract: The complement system is a vital component of the host immune system, but when dysregulated, can also cause disease. The system is activated by three pathways: classical, lectin and alternative. The initiating proteases of the classical and lectin pathways have similar domain structure and employ similar mechanisms of activation. The C1r, C1s and MASP-2 proteases have the most defined roles in the activation of the system. This review focuses on the mechanisms whereby their interaction with substrates and inhibitors is regulated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Renee C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Lakshmi C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wijeyewickrema
authors.forename: Robert N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Pike
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation; D015923:Complement C1r / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D003173:Complement C1s / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050606:Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases; D015923:Complement C1r; D003173:Complement C1s