Chemicals and Drugs

Complement C3

A glycoprotein that is central in both the classical and the alternative pathway of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION. C3 can be cleaved into COMPLEMENT C3A and COMPLEMENT C3B, spontaneously at low level or by C3 CONVERTASE at high level. The smaller fragment C3a is an ANAPHYLATOXIN and mediator of local inflammatory process. The larger fragment C3b binds with C3 convertase to form C5 convertase.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A glycoprotein that is central in both the classical and the alternative pathway of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION. C3 can be cleaved into COMPLEMENT C3A and COMPLEMENT C3B, spontaneously at low level or by C3 CONVERTASE at high level. The smaller fragment C3a is an ANAPHYLATOXIN and mediator of local inflammatory process. The larger fragment C3b binds with C3 convertase to form C5 convertase.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Narrower headings

Related Concepts

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

17 entry terms
  • C3 Complement
  • Complement 3
  • Complement Component 3
  • C3, Complement
  • Complement, C3
  • Component 3, Complement
  • C3 Precursor
  • Complement C3 Precursor
  • Precursor-Complement 3
  • Pro-C3
  • Pro-Complement 3
  • C3 Precursor, Complement
  • Precursor Complement 3
  • Precursor, C3
  • Precursor, Complement C3
  • Pro C3
  • Pro Complement 3

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

2006 (1975)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Anaphylaxis (1966-1974)
  • Chemotaxis (1966-1974)
  • Complement (1968-1974)
  • Immune Adherence Reaction (1971-1974)
  • Neutrophils (1966-1974)
  • Phagocytosis (1966-1974)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D12.776w.124w.050w.140
  2. D12.776w.124w.486.274.250

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QW 680

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Complement C3. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D003176. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D003176
  2. Complement C3. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4115543