Eastern diamondback rattlesnake venom contains high levels of Phospholipase Acat

Question

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake venom contains high levels of Phospholipase Acatalyzes the breakdown of the second of the three (C-2 position) lipid groups of glycerophospholipids. Though the high levels of phospholipase A2 in venom can be deadly, this enzyme is necessary for a variety of normal metabolic processes. What problem(s) does excess of this enzyme cause, by hydrolyzing these bonds? And what are the normal metabolic processes that phospholipase A2 is used for?
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake venom contains high levels of Phospholipase Acatalyzes the breakdown of the second of the three (C-2 position) lipid groups of glycerophospholipids. Though the high levels of phospholipase A2 in venom can be deadly, this enzyme is necessary for a variety of normal metabolic processes. What problem(s) does excess of this enzyme cause, by hydrolyzing these bonds? And what are the normal metabolic processes that phospholipase A2 is used for?
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake venom contains high levels of Phospholipase Acatalyzes the breakdown of the second of the three (C-2 position) lipid groups of glycerophospholipids. Though the high levels of phospholipase A2 in venom can be deadly, this enzyme is necessary for a variety of normal metabolic processes. What problem(s) does excess of this enzyme cause, by hydrolyzing these bonds? And what are the normal metabolic processes that phospholipase A2 is used for?

Explanation / Answer

The venom of the Eastern diamondback rattler contains phospholipase A2, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of fatty acids at the C-2 position of glycerophospholipids. The phospholipid breakdown product of this reaction is lysolecithin.Lysolecithins are compounds derived from Phosphatidylcholine.Lysolecithin is amphipathic in nature and has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. At high concentrations, this act as detergents, dissolving the membranes of erythrocytes and lysing the cells. It also demyelinates nerves. Extensive hemolysis of erythrocytes and demyelination of nerves may be life-threatening.

Phospholipase A2(PLA2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the C-2 position of membrane glycerophospholipids to liberate arachidonic acid (AA), that is a precursor of eicosanoids, a potent inflammatory mediator that includes the prostaglandins, thromboxane, leukotrienes, and lipoxins.The other product of PLA2 action on phospholipids is a lysophospholipid, that converted into platelet-activating factor, another potent inflammatory mediator.

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