Abstract
Complement Factor H has recently come to the fore with variant forms implicated in a range of serious disease states. This review aims to bring together recent data concerning the structure and biological activity of this molecule to highlight the way in which a molecular understanding of function may open novel therapeutic possibilities. In particular we examine the evidence for and against the hypothesis that sequence variations in factor H may predispose to disease if they perturb its ability to recognise and respond appropriately to polyanionic carbohydrates on host surfaces that require protection from complement-mediated damage.
MeSH terms
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Binding Sites / immunology
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Complement Factor H / chemistry*
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Complement Factor H / genetics
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Complement Factor H / immunology*
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Crystallography, X-Ray
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Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / immunology*
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Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / immunology*
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Humans
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Macular Degeneration / immunology*
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Models, Molecular
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
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Protein Conformation
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Protein Structure, Secondary
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Protein Structure, Tertiary
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Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
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Recombinant Proteins / immunology
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Scattering, Small Angle
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Static Electricity
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Ultracentrifugation
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X-Ray Diffraction
Substances
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Recombinant Proteins
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Complement Factor H