Basic phospholipase A2 homolog piratoxin-1

UniProtKB accession:  P58399

Grouped By:  Matching UniProtKB accession

UniProtKB description:  Snake venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2) homolog that lacks enzymatic activity (PubMed:7660366). Is myotoxic and displays edema-inducing activities (PubMed:7660366). Induces neuromuscular blockage (PubMed:26192963). A model of myotoxic mechanism has been proposed: an apo Lys49-PLA2 is activated by the entrance of a hydrophobic molecule (e.g. fatty acid) at the hydrophobic channel of the protein leading to a reorientation of a monomer (By similarity). This reorientation causes a transition between 'inactive' to 'active' states, causing alignment of C-terminal and membrane-docking sites (MDoS) side-by-side and putting the membrane-disruption sites (MDiS) in the same plane, exposed to solvent and in a symmetric position for both monomers (By similarity). The MDoS region stabilizes the toxin on membrane by the interaction of charged residues with phospholipid head groups (By similarity). Subsequently, the MDiS region destabilizes the membrane with penetration of hydrophobic residues (By similarity). This insertion causes a disorganization of the membrane, allowing an uncontrolled influx of ions (i.e. calcium and sodium), and eventually triggering irreversible intracellular alterations and cell death (By similarity).