New synthetic inhibitor to the alternative complement pathway.

The inhibitory effects of 6-amidino-2-naphthyl 4-guanidinobenzoate (FUT-175) on the activities of factor B, factor D and cobra venom factor (CVF) X Bb were examined. FUT-175 bound specifically to the Bb fragment of factor B or CVF X Bb. FUT-175 was a non-competitive inhibitor of the esterolysis of L-leucyl-L-alanyl-L-arginine naphthylester by factor B and CVF X Bb. FUT-175 also inhibited the haemolytic activity of factor B, the C3 convertase activity of CVF X Bb and the factor B-cleaving activity of factor D. The concentration of FUT-175 causing 50% inhibition of these activities was 10(-5) - 10(-4)M.