User:Matthew Chien/Sandbox 1

Introduction

Complement component 1q, or C1q, is the first component of the classical pathway of the complement system. C1q is a subcomponent of the Complement component 1 (C1), along with C1r and C1s. C1q consists of six globular-head regions all connected to a collogen-like region (), with each globular head consisting of 3 separate domains. The activation of C1q through the binding of the globular head to a variety of epitopes induces structural changes in the collogen-like region of C1q. This activates C1r, which cleaves C1s, which splits into other complement proteins to further activate other aspects of the classical complement system pathway. C1q binds to a variety of different antigens, such as phagocytes to induce phagocytosis, apoptotic cells through phosphatidylserine and DNA to induce apoptosis, and the Fc region of IgG and IgM to activate the complement system as described. C1q acts as a crucial protein that bridges the adaptive and innate immune system.

Function

Innate Immunity

C1q plays a major role in the innate part of the immune system. It is the first complement protein to be activated in the classical complement pathway. This pathway of complement activation is dependent on the detection of antibody-antigen complexes, which creates a cascade of complement protein activation to ultimately promote inflammation, enhance the performance of various immune cells, and attack the pathogen's cell membrane. This acts as an irreplicable aspect of the innate immune system and is one of the body's primary defense against invaders.

C1q is also known to be a kind of opsonin, which is a protein that tags a foreign cell to be engulfed and destroyed by phagocytes, such as neutrophils and macrophages. This process is a very important aspect of the innate immune system to eliminate foreign bacteria and viruses to keep the host healthy. It has been shown that both neutrophils and macrophages posses receptors capable of binding the globular head and CLR of C1q, named gC1q and cC1q respectively, emphasizing their crucial role for phagocytes to identify and eliminate foreign pathogens. Immature dendritic cells have also been shown to contain a large amounts of gC1q and cC1q. This acts as an important bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems; dendritic cells can survey certain areas based on the amount of present C1q in order to activate and begin digesting antigens to present to T-cells, which is a crucial step in adaptive immunity activation.

Adaptive Immunity

Active Site

Disease

Structural highlights

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