Complement
Complement
Complement refers to a series of some 30 proteins that enhance the bacterial killing effect of antibodies. This complementation involves facilitating the engulfing of bacteria by immune cells in the process known as phagocytosis , or by the puncturing of the bacterial membrane. Additionally, complement helps dispose of antigen-antibody complexes that form in the body.
The various complement proteins circulate throughout the bloodstream in an inactive form. When one of the proteins is converted to an active form upon interaction with an antigen-antibody complex, a series of reactions is triggered. The activation step involves the cleaving, or precise cutting, of the particular complement protein. The cleavage turns the complement protein into a protease, a protein that is itself capable of cleaving other proteins. In turn, cleavage of a second complement protein makes that protein a protease. The resulting cleavage reaction generates a series of active complement proteins. These reactions, known as the complement cascade, occur in an orderly sequence and are under precise regulation.
The reactions involve two pathways. One is known as the classical complement activation pathway. The end result is an enzyme that can degrade a protein called C3. The other pathway is known as the alternative pathway. The second pathway does not require the presence of antibody for the activation of complement. Both pathways result in the formation of an entity that is called the membrane attack complex. The complex is actually a channel that forms in the bacterial membrane. Under the magnification of the electron microscope , a bacterial membrane that is a target of the complement system appears riddled with holes.
The channels that form in a membrane allow the free entry and exit of fluids and molecules. Because the concentration of various ions is higher inside the bacterium than outside, fluid will flow inward to attempt to balance the concentrations. As a result, the bacterium swells and bursts.
Other reaction products of the complement cascade trigger an inflammatory immune response. In addition, the invading bacteria are coated with an immune molecule (C3b) that makes the bacteria more recognizable to phagocytes. This process is called opsonization . The phagocytes then engulf the bacteria and degrade them.
Tight control over the activity of the complement system is essential. At least 12 proteins are involved in the regulation of complement activation. Defects in this control, or the operation of the pathways, result in frequent bacterial infections.
See also Immune system; Infection and control
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complement
com·ple·ment • n. / ˈkämpləmənt/ 1. a thing that completes or brings to perfection: the libretto proved a perfect complement to the music. 2. [in sing.] a number or quantity of something required to make a group complete: we have a full complement of staff. ∎ the number of people required to crew a ship: almost half the ship's complement of 322 were wounded. ∎ Geom. the amount in degrees by which a given angle is less than 90°. ∎ Math. the members of a set that are not members of a given subset. 3. Gram. one or more words, phrases, or clauses governed by a verb (or by a nominalization or a predicative adjective) that complete the meaning of the predicate. ∎ (in systemic grammar) an adjective or noun that has the same reference as either the subject (as mad in he is mad) or the object (as mad in he drove her mad). 4. Physiol. a group of proteins present in blood plasma and tissue fluid that combine with an antigen–antibody complex to bring about the lysis of foreign cells. • v. / -ˌment; -mənt/ [tr.] add to (something) in a way that enhances or improves it; make perfect: a classic blazer complements a look that's stylish or casual. ∎ add to or make complete. DERIVATIVES: com·ple·men·tal / ˌkämpləˈmentl/ adj.
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COMPLEMENT
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complement
1. of a set, S, with respect to some universal set U. The set consisting of elements that are in U but not in S; it is usually denoted by S′, ~S, or S̄. Formally, S′ = {x | (x ∈ U) and (x ∉ S)}
The process of taking complements is one of the basic operations that can be performed on sets.
The set difference (or relative complement) of two sets S and T is the set of elements that are in S but not in T; it is usually written as S – T. Thus S′ = U – S
See also operations on sets.
2. See Boolean algebra.
3. of a subgraph G′, with vertices V′ and edges E′, of a graph G, with vertices V and edges E. The subgraph consisting of the vertices V and the edges in E but not in E′.
4. See radix-minus-one complement. See also radix complement, complement number system.
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complement
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complement
Hence complemental, complementary †accessory; †ceremonious, complimentary XVII; forming a complement XIX.
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Complement
Complement
the full amount; a set; the total number of personnel of a ship or military establishment; a cargo; the amount needed to fill a conveyance.
Example: complement of cloves, 1697.
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complement
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complement
complement: see immunity.
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