Complement inhibitors

摘要

The invention relates to complement inhibitors that inhibit both the classical and alternative complement pathways. In particular, the invention relates to complement inhibitors derived from the salivary glands of haematophagous arthropods that inhibit both the classical and alternative complement pathways. The invention also relates to the use of such complement inhibitors in the treatment and prevention of diseases.

主权项

1. An isolated cDNA molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a complement inhibitor, wherein said complement inhibitor is:
a) a protein comprising the amino acids 19 to 168 of SEQ ID NO: 2; b) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; c) the protein of a) or b) having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2; or d) a fragment of the complement inhibitor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein said fragment comprises six cysteine residues that are spaced relative to each other at a distance of 32 amino acids apart, 62 amino acids apart, 28 amino acids apart, 1 amino acid apart, and 21 amino acids apart as arranged from the amino terminus to the carboxyl terminus of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the complement inhibitor inhibits cleavage of C5 by classical and alternative C5 convertases.