The tick-over theory revisited: formation and regulation of the soluble alternative complement C3 convertase (C3(H2O)Bb).
The molecular interactions between the components of the C3 convertase of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement and its regulators, in both surface-bound and fluid-phase form, are still incompletely understood. The fact that the AP convertase is labile makes studies difficult to perform. According to the so called tick-over theory, hydrolyzed C3, called C3(H(2)O), forms the initial convertase in fluid phase together with factor B. In the present study, we have applied western blot analysis and ELISA together with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study the formation of the fluid-phase AP convertases C3(H(2)O)Bb and C3bBb and their regulation by factor H and factor I at specific time points and, with FRET, in real time. In our hands, factor B showed a higher affinity for C3(H(2)O) than for C3b, although in both cases it was readily activated to Bb. However, the convertase activity of C3bBb was approximately twice that of C3(H(2)O)Bb, as monitored by the generation of C3a. But in contrast, the C3(H(2)O)Bb convertase was more resistant to inactivation by factor H and factor I than was the C3bBb convertase. Under conditions that totally inactivated C3bBb, C3(H(2)O)Bb still retained approximately 25% of its initial activity.
Bexborn
Fredrik
F
School of Pure and Applied Natural Sciences, University of Kalmar, Kalmar, Sweden.
Andersson
Per Ola
PO
Chen
Hui
H
Nilsson
Bo
B
Ekdahl
Kristina N
KN
D015153:Blotting, Western; D051561:Complement C3 Convertase, Alternative Pathway; D050577:Complement C3-C5 Convertases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003179:Complement C3b / Q000276:immunology; D011415:Complement Factor B / Q000276:immunology*; D017242:Complement Factor H / Q000276:immunology; D017244:Complement Factor I / Q000276:immunology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D018448:Models, Immunological; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012995:Solubility; D012996:Solutions; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012996:Solutions; D003179:Complement C3b; D017242:Complement Factor H; D050577:Complement C3-C5 Convertases; D017244:Complement Factor I; D051561:Complement C3 Convertase, Alternative Pathway; D011415:Complement Factor B