The hydrolysis of proteins into smaller polypeptides and/or amino acids by cleavage of their peptide bonds.

Any process involved in the activation of any of the steps of the complement cascade, which allows for the direct killing of microbes, the disposal of immune complexes, and the regulation of other immune processes; the initial steps of complement activation involve one of three pathways, the classical pathway, the alternative pathway, and the lectin pathway, all of which lead to the terminal complement pathway.

The set of specific processes that generate the ability of an organism to induce an abnormal, generally detrimental state in another organism.

The set of specific processes that generate the ability of an organism to induce an abnormal, generally detrimental state in another organism.

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of a protein by the destruction of the native, active configuration, with or without the hydrolysis of peptide bonds.

Any mechanism of active immune avoidance which works by regulating the host complement system, e.g. by possessing complement receptors which mediate attachment to, then infection of, host macrophages, which are eventually destroyed. The host is defined as the larger of the organisms involved in a symbiotic interaction.

Any mechanism of active immune avoidance which works by regulating the host complement system, e.g. by possessing complement receptors which mediate attachment to, then infection of, host macrophages, which are eventually destroyed. The host is defined as the larger of the organisms involved in a symbiotic interaction.

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of elastin. Elastin is a glycoprotein which is randomly coiled and crosslinked to form elastic fibers that are found in connective tissue.

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of elastin. Elastin is a glycoprotein which is randomly coiled and crosslinked to form elastic fibers that are found in connective tissue.

The hydrolysis of proteins into smaller polypeptides and/or amino acids by cleavage of their peptide bonds.

The space external to the outermost structure of a cell. For cells without external protective or external encapsulating structures this refers to space outside of the plasma membrane. This term covers the host cell environment outside an intracellular parasite.

That part of a multicellular organism outside the cells proper, usually taken to be outside the plasma membranes, and occupied by fluid.

The space external to the outermost structure of a cell. For cells without external protective or external encapsulating structures this refers to space outside of the plasma membrane. This term covers the host cell environment outside an intracellular parasite.

That part of a multicellular organism outside the cells proper, usually taken to be outside the plasma membranes, and occupied by fluid.