Bypass-activation of the complement system starting with C3. I. Generation and function of an enzyme from a factor of guinea-pig serum and cobra venom.

Antibody independent activation of the complement system starting with C3 can be achieved by means of a purified factor from cobra venom (VF), which interacts with a purified serum factor (SF). The latter is a normal constituent of guinea-pig and human serum (C3-proactivator). The interaction between VF and SF is Mg+ + dependent and leads to the formation of a complex. Immunological analysis reveals that both VF- and SF-antigens are contained in the complex. The VF—SF complex activates enzymatically isolated C3, which in the presence of the subsequent components yields all effects of the normal complement sequence. Purified C5 is not affected by the complex. Its activation is mediated by activated C3. The VF—SF system represents a model for direct activation of C3 to C9 independent of antibody, C1, C4 and C2. An analogous pathway of alternate complement activation might be used by other substances, e.g. endotoxin, guinea-pig γ1-immune aggregates and zymosan. The corresponding serum factors are under investigation.