C8A
C8A is the alpha chain of complement component C8, a member of the complement C6/C7/C8/C9 family and a building block of the membrane attack complex (MAC). Together with C8B and C8G, it inserts into target cell membranes during complement-mediated lysis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of C8A research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
C8A is a component of the membrane attack complex (MAC), a multiprotein assembly activated by the complement cascade. The MAC inserts into a target cell membrane and forms a pore, leading to membrane rupture and cell lysis. Assembly is initiated when C5 is proteolytically cleaved to complement C5b, in response to the classical, alternative, lectin and GZMK complement pathways. These pathways form a cascade that leads to phagocytosis and breakdown of pathogens, and to signalling that strengthens the adaptive immune system.
Within the MAC, C8A acts together with C8B and C8G. This group inserts into the target membrane but does not form pores by itself. During assembly, C8A associates with C5b, C6 and C7 to form the C5b8 intermediate complex. This complex inserts into the target membrane and traverses the bilayer, which increases membrane rigidity. C8 as a whole contains three polypeptides, alpha, beta and gamma, and the C8A gene encodes the alpha subunit. The protein is found in the secreted fraction and at the target cell membrane, and it belongs to the complement C6/C7/C8/C9 family.
The MAC assembles on bacterial membranes to form a pore, which disrupts membrane organisation. Mutations in the C8A gene cause complement C8 alpha-gamma deficiency. HGNC classifies the gene among complement system activation components and the Membrane Attack complex group. Earlier names include complement component 8, alpha polypeptide, and complement component 8 alpha subunit. A mouse ortholog, C8a, is recorded.
C8A is a terminal pathway component acting downstream of C5b, C6 and C7, making it relevant to studies of how complement pathways converge on lysis.
C8A helps form the C5b8 intermediate that inserts into and traverses the target membrane, a key step in building the lytic pore.
The MAC assembles on bacterial membranes to form a pore that disrupts membrane organisation, linking C8A to complement-mediated host defence.
Mutations in C8A cause complement C8 alpha-gamma deficiency, so the gene is used to study inherited defects of the terminal complement pathway.
C8A is the alpha chain of complement C8 and a component of the membrane attack complex. With C8B and C8G it inserts into the target membrane but does not form pores alone. It associates with C5b, C6 and C7 to form the C5b8 intermediate complex.
The HGNC name is complement C8 alpha chain, and UniProt calls the protein complement component C8 alpha chain. Previous names are complement component 8, alpha polypeptide, and complement component 8 alpha subunit. No separate alias symbols are listed.
Mutations in the C8A gene cause complement C8 alpha-gamma deficiency. A mouse ortholog, C8a, exists, so rodent work is possible in principle. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other membrane attack complex subunits and terminal complement pathway components with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P07357; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.