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membrane attack complex
This term is a highly specialized technical expression used exclusively within immunology and microbiology. It describes a specific biochemical mechanism of the innate immune system, specifically the terminal pathway of the complement system. The term is descriptive and literal, referring to the physical assembly of proteins (C5b, C6, C7, C8, and multiple C9 molecules) into a pore-like structure.
In a clinical or academic context, it is often abbreviated as MAC. Because it refers to a specific molecular assembly, it is used in formal scientific discourse to explain the process of cytolysis, where the integrity of a pathogen's cell membrane is compromised to induce cell death.
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A multi-protein structure formed by the complement system that inserts itself into the lipid bilayer of a target cell membrane, creating a pore that leads to cell lysis and death.
The membrane attack complex is the final stage of the complement cascade, resulting in the osmotic lysis of the pathogen.