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Cobra Venom Factor (CVF) in complex with human factor B
Structural highlights
FunctionVCO3_NAJKA Complement-activating protein in cobra venom. It is a structural and functional analog of complement component C3b, the activated form of C3. It binds factor B (CFB), which is subsequently cleaved by factor D (CFD) to form the bimolecular complex CVF/Bb. CVF/Bb is a C3/C5 convertase that cleaves both complement components C3 and C5. Structurally, it resembles the C3b degradation product C3c, which is not able to form a C3/C5 convertase. Unlike C3b/Bb, CVF/Bb is a stable complex and completely resistant to the actions of complement regulatory factors H (CFH) and I (CFI). Therefore, CVF continuously activates complement resulting in the depletion of complement activity. Evolutionary Conservation Check, as determined by ConSurfDB. You may read the explanation of the method and the full data available from ConSurf. Publication Abstract from PubMedImmune protection by the complement system critically depends on assembly of C3 convertases on the surface of pathogens and altered host cells. These short-lived protease complexes are formed through pro-convertases, which for the alternative pathway consist of the complement component C3b and the pro-enzyme factor B (FB). Here, we present the crystal structure at 2.2-A resolution, small-angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopy (EM) data of the pro-convertase formed by human FB and cobra venom factor (CVF), a potent homologue of C3b that generates more stable convertases. FB is loaded onto CVF through its pro-peptide Ba segment by specific contacts, which explain the specificity for the homologous C3b over the native C3 and inactive products iC3b and C3c. The protease segment Bb binds the carboxy terminus of CVF through the metal-ion dependent adhesion site of the Von Willebrand factor A-type domain. A possible dynamic equilibrium between a 'loading' and 'activation' state of the pro-convertase may explain the observed difference between the crystal structure of CVFB and the EM structure of C3bB. These insights into formation of convertases provide a basis for further development of complement therapeutics. Insights into complement convertase formation based on the structure of the factor B-cobra venom factor complex.,Janssen BJ, Gomes L, Koning RI, Svergun DI, Koster AJ, Fritzinger DC, Vogel CW, Gros P EMBO J. 2009 Aug 19;28(16):2469-78. Epub 2009 Jul 2. PMID:19574954[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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