Venom Phospholipase ASUB 2/SUB Enzymes: Structure, Function and Mechanism

by R. Manjunatha Kini

Many hundreds of toxins have been purified and characterized from the complex mixtures of pharmacologically active proteins and polypeptides within snake venoms. The study of these toxins has contributed significantly to our understanding of snake venom toxicity and, perhaps more importantly, has provided numerous research tools which have helped decipher the intricate details of various physiological processes at the molecular level and which have also been used in the development of pharmaceutical agents. Among these toxins, phospholipase A 2 enzymes (PLA 2 enzymes) are the most fascinating group of proteins and Venom Phospholipase A 2 Enzymes is the first comprehensive book covering both fundamental and recent advances in phospholipase research. Particular emphasis is placed on the pharmacological effects of snake venom PLA 2 enzymes. All structural aspects are covered, including known protein sequences, 3D structures and their relationship to catalytic properties. Valuable information is included on the molecular, biological and immunological aspects of these enzymes, their catalytic mechanisms, identification and purification, and several chapters are devoted to recent studies of the neurotoxic, myotoxic, anticoagulant and antiplatelet nature of PLA 2 enzymes. The characterization of receptor/acceptor membrane proteins is also discussed in detail. In summary, Venom Phospholipase A 2 Enzymes provides a ready reference on all aspects of phospholipase research for toxicologists, pharmacologists, protein chemists, enzymologists and molecular biologists; indeed all researchers working with natural toxins/snake venom will find much of interest within this book.

528 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 1997