The two sides of complement C3d: evolution of electrostatics in a link between innate and adaptive immunity.

ABSTRACT: The interaction between complement fragment C3d and complement receptor 2 (CR2) is a key aspect of complement immune system activation, and is a component in a link between innate and adaptive immunities. The complement immune system is an ancient mechanism for defense, and can be found in species that have been on Earth for the last 600 million years. However, the link between the complement system and adaptive immunity, which is formed through the association of the B-cell co-receptor complex, including the C3d-CR2 interaction, is a much more recent adaptation. Human C3d and CR2 have net charges of -1 and +7 respectively, and are believed to have evolved favoring the role of electrostatics in their functions. To investigate the role of electrostatics in the function and evolution of huma

SUBMITTER: Kieslich CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3531323 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature