Fig. 13: Activation of the Alternative Complement Pathway and Formation of C3 Convertase

Activation of the alternative complement pathway begins when C3b (or C3 hydrolized by water) binds to the cell wall and other surface components of microbes. Alternative pathway protein factor B then combines with the cell-bound C3b to form C3bB. Factor D then splits the bound Factor B into Bb and Ba, forming C3bBb. A serum protein called properdin then binds to the Bb to form C3bBbP. C3bBbP functions as a C3 convertase that can enzymatically split hundreds of molecules of C3 into C3a and C3b.

Illustration of Activation of the Alternative Complement Pathway and Formation of C3 Convertase .jpg by Gary E. Kaiser, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology, The Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville Campus
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://cwoer.ccbcmd.edu/science/microbiology/index_gos.html.

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Last updated: August, 2019
Please send comments and inquiries to Dr. Gary Kaiser