complement C8 alpha chain
Last updated 18 Aug 2020
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The C8A gene provides instructions for making one piece, the alpha subunit, of a protein complex called complement component 8. The alpha subunit is linked to another piece of the complex called the gamma subunit (produced from the C8G gene). These two proteins interact with the beta subunit (produced from the C8B gene) to form complement component 8.
Normal function
The C8A gene provides instructions for making one piece, the alpha subunit, of a protein complex called complement component 8. The alpha subunit is linked to another piece of the complex called the gamma subunit (produced from the C8G gene). These two proteins interact with the beta subunit (produced from the C8B gene) to form complement component 8.
Complement component 8 aids in a part of the body's immune response known as the complement system. The complement system is a group of proteins that work together to destroy foreign invaders, trigger inflammation, and remove debris from cells and tissues. Complement component 8 combines with several other complement proteins to form the membrane attack complex (MAC), which inserts itself in the outer membrane of bacterial cells. This complex creates a hole (pore) in the membrane, which kills the bacterium. This part of the immune response appears to be especially important for fighting infection by bacteria in the Neisseria genus.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
complement component 8 alpha subunit
complement component 8 subunit alpha
complement component 8, alpha polypeptide
complement component C8 alpha chain preproprotein
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Further reading and references
- complement C8 alpha chain; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Bubeck D. The making of a macromolecular machine: assembly of the membrane attack complex. Biochemistry. 2014 Apr 1;53(12):1908-15. doi: 10.1021/bi500157z. Epub 2014 Mar 18.
- Kaufman KM, Snider JV, Spurr NK, Schwartz CE, Sodetz JM. Chromosomal assignment of genes encoding the alpha, beta, and gamma subunits of human complement protein C8: identification of a close physical linkage between the alpha and the beta loci. Genomics. 1989 Oct;5(3):475-80. doi: 10.1016/0888-7543(89)90012-8.
- Kojima T, Horiuchi T, Nishizaka H, Fukumori Y, Amano T, Nagasawa K, Niho Y, Hayashi K. Genetic basis of human complement C8 alpha-gamma deficiency. J Immunol. 1998 Oct 1;161(7):3762-6.
- Merle NS, Noe R, Halbwachs-Mecarelli L, Fremeaux-Bacchi V, Roumenina LT. Complement System Part II: Role in Immunity. Front Immunol. 2015 May 26;6:257. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00257. eCollection 2015.
- Rosa DD, Pasqualotto AC, de Quadros M, Prezzi SH. Deficiency of the eighth component of complement associated with recurrent meningococcal meningitis--case report and literature review. Braz J Infect Dis. 2004 Aug;8(4):328-30. doi: 10.1590/s1413-86702004000400010. Epub 2004 Nov 19.
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