Phenomena and Processes

Alternative Complement Pathway

Complement activation initiated by the interaction of microbial ANTIGENS with COMPLEMENT C3B. When COMPLEMENT FACTOR B binds to the membrane-bound C3b, COMPLEMENT FACTOR D cleaves it to form alternative C3 CONVERTASE (C3BBB) which, stabilized by COMPLEMENT FACTOR P, is able to cleave multiple COMPLEMENT C3 to form alternative C5 CONVERTASE (C3BBB3B) leading to cleavage of COMPLEMENT C5 and the assembly of COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Complement activation initiated by the interaction of microbial ANTIGENS with COMPLEMENT C3B. When COMPLEMENT FACTOR B binds to the membrane-bound C3b, COMPLEMENT FACTOR D cleaves it to form alternative C3 CONVERTASE (C3BBB) which, stabilized by COMPLEMENT FACTOR P, is able to cleave multiple COMPLEMENT C3 to form alternative C5 CONVERTASE (C3BBB3B) leading to cleavage of COMPLEMENT C5 and the assembly of COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

Loading graph…

Drag nodes to rearrange; hover to trace links; click a node to open its page.

MeSH Record

Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • Alternative Complement Activation Pathway
  • Complement Activation Pathway, Alternative
  • Complement Pathway, Alternative
  • Properdin Pathway

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

6 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, ethics, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

MeSH Record

History Note

91(79); was see under COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION 1979-90

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Complement (1966-1978)
  • Complement Fixation Tests (1966-1978)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. G12.274.695w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Alternative Complement Pathway. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D003170. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D003170
  2. Alternative Complement Pathway. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_complement_pathway
  3. Alternative Complement Pathway. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4736500