What is C3 convertase?

Answer 1

Humans have both an "innate" and an "adaptive" immune system. There are a number of proteins circulating in the blood as part of the complement system that belongs to the innate immune system (although the adaptive system can activate it as well). Normally, the complement proteins are inactive. When the immune system detects some threat, the complement system is triggered and the circulating proteins are chemically split into smaller components. C3 convertases are chemicals that cleave C3 complement into breakdown products in both the "classical" and the "alternative" pathways of the complement system.

Answer 2

C3 convertase is an enzyme complex involved in the complement system, which is part of the immune system. It cleaves the C3 protein into C3a and C3b, initiating the formation of the membrane attack complex to facilitate opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis.