Description
Product Characteristics: The polyclonal antibody reacts with Rat C4. Rat complement factor C4, formerly known as Gg protein, consists of an alpha-, beta-, and gamma-chain. The classical pathway of complement and the Mannose binding lectin activation pathway converge at C4. C1s, MASP-1 and MASP-2 cleave C4 resulting in the formation of C4a and C4b. The latter can be cleaved to result in C4c and C4d, in which step all functional sites are lost.
Target Information: This gene encodes the basic form of complement factor 4, part of the classical activation pathway. The protein is expressed as a single chain precursor which is proteolytically cleaved into a trimer of alpha, beta, and gamma chains prior to secretion. The trimer provides a surface for interaction between the antigen-antibody complex and other complement components. The alpha chain may be cleaved to release C4 anaphylatoxin, a mediator of local inflammation. Deficiency of this protein is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. This gene localizes to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region on chromosome 6. Varying haplotypes of this gene cluster exist, such that individuals may have 1, 2, or 3 copies of this gene. In addition, this gene exists as a long form and a short form due to the presence or absence of a 6.4 kb endogenous HERV-K retrovirus in intron 9. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]