Potent inhibitor of the complent mbrane attack complex (MAC) action. Acts by binding to the C8 and,or C9 complents of the assbling MAC, thereby preventing incorporation of the multiple copies of C9 required for complete formation of the osmolytic pore. This inhibitor appears to be species-specific. Involved in signal transduction for T-cell activation complexed to a protein tyrosine kinase.The soluble form from urine retains its specific complent binding activity, but exhibits greatly reduced ability to inhibit MAC assbly on cell mbranes.
CD59, an LY-6-like protein expressed in human lymphoid cells, regulates the action of the complement membrane attack complex on homologous cells.Davies A., Simmons D.L., Hale G., Harrison R.A., Tighe H., Lachmann P.J., Waldmann H.J. Exp. Med. 170:637-654(1989)
Research Topic:Cardiovascular
