IC3b
Encyclopedia
iC3b is a protein
molecule that is used in medical research because of its ability to bind
to specific target cells
. This is useful for basic research
, and in some cases it is possible to get the immune system
to attack those cells, thus opening the possibility of new cancer
treatments.
iC3b is a proteolyticly inactive product of the complement cleavage fragment C3b
that still opsonizes microbes, but cannot associate with factor B. Thus preventing amplification of the complement cascade or activation through the alternative pathway.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
molecule that is used in medical research because of its ability to bind
Agonist
An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor of a cell and triggers a response by that cell. Agonists often mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance...
to specific target cells
Receptor (biochemistry)
In biochemistry, a receptor is a molecule found on the surface of a cell, which receives specific chemical signals from neighbouring cells or the wider environment within an organism...
. This is useful for basic research
Basic Research
Basic Research is an herbal supplement and cosmetics manufacturer based in Salt Lake City, Utah that distributes products through a large number of subsidiaries. In addition, their products are sold domestically and internationally through a number of high-end retailers. Dennis Gay is the...
, and in some cases it is possible to get the immune system
Immune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
to attack those cells, thus opening the possibility of new cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
treatments.
iC3b is a proteolyticly inactive product of the complement cleavage fragment C3b
C3b
C3b is the larger of two elements formed by the cleavage of complement component 3. C3b covalently bonds to microbial cell surfaces within an organism's body. This leads to the production of surface-bound C3 convertase and thus more C3b components. Bound C3b also aids in opsonization of the microbe...
that still opsonizes microbes, but cannot associate with factor B. Thus preventing amplification of the complement cascade or activation through the alternative pathway.