| Primary Identifier | IPR037565 | Type | Family |
| Short Name | Complement_C8_alpha |
| description | This entry represents the alpha chain of complement component C8. C8 is a complex of three chains, alpha, beta and gamma []. C8 is a component of the membrane attack complex (MAC) which forms pores in the membranes of cells of invading organisms. MAC forms when C5 is cleaved into C5a and C5b, and C5b binds sequentially C6, C7, C8 and multiple copies of the pore-forming subunit C9 [, ]. C8 alpha is synthesized as a precursor and activation occurs by cleavage at paired basic residues by kallikrein-related peptidase 4 []. The tertiary structure of C8 alpha has been solved and shows the following domains (N- to C-terminal): first TSP type-1, LDL-receptor class A, MACPF, EGF-like, and second TSP type-1 []. This domain architecture is shared with the beta chain of C8. |
