The Effect of Amino Compounds on the Fourth Component of Complement

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions: Several amino compounds were tested for their effects on the fourth component of complement. Of these, only primary amines and hydrazine inactivated the fourth component. Secondary and tertiary amines and negatively or polar substituted amines did not inactivate any portion of complement, except by virtue of their alkalinity. It is suggested that the amino compounds act upon a carbohydrate complex of the end-piece, and that this complex is the socalled fourth component.