compound introduction
Complement C4 (C4) plays a central role in both the classical and lectin pathways of complement activation, with levels in human plasma ~0.4 mg/ml. C4 circulates in human plasma as a heterotrimer of 205,000 Da in plasma. The three disulfide-linked chains have molecular weights of 93 (alpha), 75 (beta), and 32 (gamma) kDa. These are readily processed to create C4a, C4b or C4c depending on the processed state. Athens Research and Technology currently only sells the C4c form. Reacts to C4 antisera on Western Blot Ref: Tack BF and JW Prahl. 1976. Biochemistry. 15:4513, Tack BF et al. 1981. Methods Enzymol. 80:64, Janatova, J. 1988. Methods Enzymol. 162:579.
