C5

Fig1. Schematic Representation of Two Complement C5a Receptors (C5aRs) and Their Transducer Coupling. (Shubhi Pandey, 2020)

What is C5 protein?

C5 gene (complement C5) is a protein coding gene which situated on the long arm of chromosome 9 at locus 9q33. This gene encodes a component of the complement system, a part of the innate immune system that plays an important role in inflammation, host homeostasis, and host defense against pathogens. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate multiple protein products, including the C5 alpha chain, C5 beta chain, C5a anaphylatoxin and C5b. The C5 protein is comprised of the C5 alpha and beta chains, which are linked by a disulfide bridge. Cleavage of the alpha chain by a convertase enzyme results in the formation of the C5a anaphylatoxin, which possesses potent spasmogenic and chemotactic activity, and the C5b macromolecular cleavage product, a subunit of the membrane attack complex (MAC). The C5 protein is consisted of 1676 amino acids and C5 molecular weight is approximately 188.3 kDa.

What is the function of C5 protein?

The C5 protein plays a vital role in the immune system as part of the complement system, which is a series of proteins that work together to clear pathogens and damaged cells. When activated, C5 is cleaved into two fragments, C5a and C5b. C5a acts as an anaphylatoxin and chemoattractant, triggering inflammatory responses and attracting immune cells to the site of infection. Meanwhile, C5b initiates the formation of the membrane attack complex (C5b-9), which can destroy pathogens by forming pores in their cell membranes. Dysregulation of C5 activation is associated with various diseases, including inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, and targeting C5 or its products is an area of active therapeutic research.

C5 related signaling pathway

The C5 protein is a critical component of the complement system, which is part of the immune response. When C5 is activated, it is cleaved into C5a and C5b fragments. C5a acts as a proinflammatory mediator, binding to the C5a receptor (C5aR) to trigger a variety of cellular responses such as chemotaxis and cytokine release, which are important for recruiting immune cells to the site of infection or tissue damage. The C5b fragment initiates the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), which can create pores in the membrane of pathogens, leading to their destruction. Dysregulation of C5 activation can contribute to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and targeting C5 or its products is an area of active therapeutic research.

C5 related diseases

The C5 protein is a component of the complement system, which is a part of the immune system. It plays a critical role in the inflammatory response and host defense. When activated, C5 is cleaved into C5a and C5b. C5a acts as an anaphylatoxin and chemoattractant, triggering inflammation and attracting immune cells to the site of infection. Meanwhile, C5b initiates the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), which can destroy pathogens by puncturing their cell membranes. Dysregulation of C5 is associated with various diseases, including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

Bioapplications of C5

The C5 protein plays a significant role in the complement system's bioapplications, particularly in therapeutic approaches. It is the target of several monoclonal antibodies and modulators that have been developed to treat diseases like paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). C5 inhibition is also being explored as a potential treatment for peripheral neuropathies, inflammatory diseases, and even certain types of cancer. For instance, eculizumab, a C5-targeting antibody, is used to treat PNH and aHUS, and biosimilars of eculizumab are in late-stage clinical trials for these conditions. Other C5 inhibitors, such as ravulizumab and avacincaptad pegol, are being tested for various applications, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Furthermore, C5a receptor antagonists like avacopan are being investigated for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis, indicating the broad potential of C5-related therapies in clinical medicine.