Derived from proteolytic degradation of complement C5, C5 anaphylatoxin is a mediator of local inflammatory process. It induces the contraction of smooth muscle, increases vascular permeability and causes histamine release from mast cells and basophilic leukocytes. C5a also stimulates the locomotion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (chemokinesis) and direct their migration toward sites of inflammation (chemotaxis).
[1]Amino acid sequence of the anaphylatoxin from the fifth component of porcine complement.Gerard C., Hugli T.E.J. Biol. Chem. 255:4710-4715(1980) [2]Identification of classical anaphylatoxin as the des-Arg form of the C5a molecule: evidence of a modul
