Rat Terminal Complement Complex (TCC) ELISA Kit

The three distinct activation pathways of complement converge with the formation of a C5
convertase and it is cleavage of C5 by these convertases that initiates the lytic or terminal
pathway. In contrast to the activation pathways, which require enzymatic cleavage for
activation, the terminal pathway relies on conformational changes induced by binding. Binding
of C6 facilitates binding of C7 which alters the conformation of the complex. After binding of
C8 a variable number of C9 molecules associate with the C5b678 complex, the so called
terminal complement complex (TCC) or Membrane Attack Complex (MAC). The formation of
the membrane form of TCC causes lysis of cells or can trigger a variety of cellular metabolic
pathways resulting in the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators. The TCC contains
neoantigens that are absent from the individual native components. Neoantigens are present
both in the membrane-bound (MAC) and the fluid-phase (SC5b-9) complex. TCC is present in
normal human plasma, < 1 AU/ml, and increases in patients with complement activation. This product is manufactured in Netherlands by Hycult Biotech.