Abstract

The far-ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrum of C5a anaphylatoxin of porcine complement implies that it has a substantial content of helical structure. The circular dichroism spectra of C5a in the 200–250 nm region at pH 7.2 and 3.7 are nearly identical and resemble those of C3a anaphylatoxin. Treatment of C5a with 2-mercaptoethanol progressively diminishes the ellipticity at 222 nm and its anaphylatoxic activity to limiting values. Removal of the reducing agent by dialysis completely restored both the ellipticity at 222 nm and the activity. This finding indicates that the integrity of the secondary conformation of the C5a molecule is largely dependent on disulfide bonds and is essential for its full activity.

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