C4d Complement fragment

Prior to secretion, the single-chain precursor is enzymatically cleaved to yield non-identical chains alpha, beta and gamma. During activation, the alpha chain is cleaved by C1 into C4a and C4b, and C4b stays linked to the beta and gamma chains. Further degradation of C4b by C1 into the inactive fragments C4c and C4d blocks the generation of C3 convertase. The proteolytic cleavages often are incomplete so that many structural forms can be found in plasma.