C9
C9 (complement C9, formerly complement component 9) is the pore-forming subunit of the membrane attack complex, the final effector of the complement cascade. It polymerises on the target cell membrane to complete the pore that leads to lysis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of C9 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
C9 is the pore-forming component of the membrane attack complex (MAC), a multiprotein complex activated by the complement cascade. The MAC inserts into a target cell membrane and forms a pore, which leads to membrane rupture and cell lysis. Assembly is initiated by proteolytic cleavage of C5 into C5b in response to the classical, alternative, lectin and GZMK complement pathways. During assembly, C9 associates with the C5b8 intermediate complex and polymerises to complete the pore.
The complement pathways form a cascade of proteins that leads to phagocytosis and breakdown of pathogens, and to signalling that strengthens the adaptive immune system. The C9 gene encodes the final component of this system. According to the NCBI Gene summary, the MAC assembles on bacterial membranes to form a pore, permitting disruption of bacterial membrane organisation. The protein is secreted and then found at the target cell membrane once the complex is built. C9 belongs to the complement C6/C7/C8/C9 family, and HGNC places the gene within the complement system activation components and the membrane attack complex groups. Mouse and rat both have a C9 ortholog.
Mutations in the C9 gene cause component C9 deficiency. The HGNC-approved name is complement C9, and the previous name was complement component 9. Because C9 acts at the last step of the terminal pathway, it is a useful focal point for studying how complement activation is converted into membrane damage, whether in studies of C9 protein levels, C9 gene variants or MAC assembly.
C9 is the final component of the complement system, making it a key readout of terminal pathway activity.
C9 joins the C5b8 intermediate and polymerises to complete the MAC pore, so it is central to studies of pore formation.
The MAC assembles on bacterial membranes and disrupts their organisation, linking C9 to host defence against pathogens.
Mutations in C9 cause component C9 deficiency, so the protein is relevant to genetic and functional studies of terminal complement.
C9 is the pore-forming subunit of the membrane attack complex. It associates with the C5b8 intermediate complex and polymerises to complete the pore, which inserts into the target cell membrane and causes rupture and lysis. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
The HGNC-approved name is complement C9, and the previous name was complement component 9. UniProt lists the protein as complement component C9. No other aliases or previous symbols are recorded in the data for this gene.
Mouse and rat both have a C9 ortholog. In humans, mutations in the C9 gene cause component C9 deficiency. C9 belongs to the complement C6/C7/C8/C9 family of terminal pathway proteins.
Other membrane attack complex components and complement cascade proteins with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P02748; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.