Recent Progress in the Understanding of the Structure- Function Relationships of the Globular Head Regions of C1q

Abstract

The first step in the activation of the classical pathway of complement cascade by immune complexes involves the binding of the C-terminal globular head regions of C1q to the Fc regions of IgG or IgM, each globular head being composed of the C-terminal halves of one A-, one B- and one C-chain. Recent studies using recombinant forms of globular region appear to suggest that each globular head of C1q may be composed of three, structurally and functionally, independent domains/modules. The heterotrimeric organisation thus could offer functional flexibility and versatility to the whole C1q molecule. The crystal structure of an adipocyte-specific serum protein, Acrp-30, has revealed the existence of a structural fold shared by members of a new C1q/tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, characterized by a distinctive globular domain. The protein members seem to be active as self-assembling noncovalent trimers, whose individual chains fold as compact 'jellyroll' beta sandwiches. The recognition of a C1q/TNF superfamily, which has wide-ranging functions, highlights the possibility that the globular regions of C1q may fulfill more binding functions than previously envisaged.