C3 is the most abundant complement protein in mouse serum. Its biological function strongly resembles that of C3 in man and other laboratory animal species. It has a central role in the activation system being common to both pathways. Activation of C3 is achieved by very specific limited proteolysis resulting in the release of a number of degradation fragments. The anaphylotoxin C3a promotes smooth muscle contraction and increases vascular permeability: the large C3b fragment is involved in binding to the complement activator and can be interact with specific receptors to allow efficient clearance of the activating cell or particle; degradation fragments of C3b (C3bi, C3c, C3dg C3d) are important in receptor binding and clearance mechanisms, in virus neutralization and possibly in the immune response. The antiserum is raised against C3c, which is the major fragment resulting from C3 cleavage by C3 convertase and factor I. It is composed of an intact beta chain bound to two fragments of the alpha chain. Consequently the antiserum reacts with both native and activated C3. It may also react with the fragments C3b, C3bi and C3dg, since they all carry antigenic epitopes of the C3c domain.
Applications:
Suitable for use in ELISA, Immunoelectrophoresis and Double Radial Immunodiffusion. Other applications not tested.
Recommended Dilution:
ELISA: 1:500-1:1000
Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher.
Biotin/IgG protein molar ratio (B/P): ~6.2
Storage and Stability:
Lyophilized powder may be stored at -20 degrees C. Stable for 12 months at -20 degrees C. Reconstitute with sterile ddH2O. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20 degrees C. Reconstituted product is stable for 12 months at -20 degrees C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.