ABMIUM target intelligence
complement C3
C3 (complement C3) is the central complement precursor cleaved into C3a and C3b, linking complement activation to inflammatory signalling, opsonization and downstream C5 activation.
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Research context & evidence
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Complement C3 is activated by C3 convertases across the classical, lectin and alternative pathways. Cleavage generates C3a, an anaphylatoxin involved in inflammatory signalling, and C3b, which covalently labels surfaces for opsonization, supports complement amplification and contributes to C5 convertase formation. Additional processing generates iC3b and other fragments with distinct immune functions.
C3 is a core target in studies of innate immunity, complement activation and amplification, opsonization, inflammatory signalling and terminal-pathway engagement. Assays should distinguish intact C3 from activation fragments such as C3a, C3b and iC3b because abundance and interpretation depend on specimen handling and assay specificity.
Names used across publications, databases and supplier catalogues.