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  • Title: Structure of human complement C8, a precursor to membrane attack.
    Author: Bubeck D, Roversi P, Donev R, Morgan BP, Llorca O, Lea SM.
    Journal: J Mol Biol; 2011 Jan 14; 405(2):325-30. PubMed ID: 21073882.
    Abstract:
    Complement component C8 plays a pivotal role in the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), an important antibacterial immune effector. C8 initiates membrane penetration and coordinates MAC pore formation. High-resolution structures of C8 subunits have provided some insight into the function of the C8 heterotrimer; however, there is no structural information describing how the intersubunit organization facilitates MAC assembly. We have determined the structure of C8 by electron microscopy and fitted the C8α-MACPF (membrane attack complex/perforin)-C8γ co-crystal structure and a homology model for C8β-MACPF into the density. Here, we demonstrate that both the C8γ protrusion and the C8α-MACPF region that inserts into the membrane upon activation are accessible.
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