C7 Antibody (Polyclonal)

C7 is a glycoprotein which is present in normal human serum/plasma at approximately 55 μg/mL. Primarily synthesized in the liver, C7 is a single-chain protein with a molecular weight of approximately 95 kD. This complement protein is key for the continued formation of the SC5b-9 complex after C5b binds to C6. With activation of the classical or alternative pathways of the complement system, C5 convertase cleaves the C5 chain into C5a and C5b. C5b remains bound to the convertase and will combine with C6 to form a C5b,6 complex. This complex normally interacts with C7 to form C5b,6,7 that becomes partially embedded in the target cell outer membrane. If C7 is limited, the C5b,6 will dissociate from the C5 convertase. This complex is relatively stable in free-solution and can be purified. This fluid-phase C5b,6 complex can combine with C7 in the presence of biological or artificial membranes to form a membrane bound C5b,6,7 complex, which can subsequently bind C8 and multiple C9 molecules completing the terminal pathway. The C5b,6,7,8,9, or C5b-9 complex, is also known as the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC), which causes irreversible damage to the target cell membrane.

The anti-human C7 polyclonal antisera was tested against normal human plasma by double immunodiffusion, one-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, quantitative radial immunodiffusion, and quantitative rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The antiserum was determined to be monospecific for C7 at varying concentrations.