UC San Diego

Phospholipases represent one of the earliest enzyme activities to be identified and studied, and the phospholipase A2 superfamily traces its roots to the identification of lytic actions of snake venom at the end of the 19th century. Both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions contribute to the interfacial binding of sPLA2 to anionic phospholipid membranes. The interaction between basic residues on the binding surface with anionic vesicles plays an important role in interfacial binding. The major functions will be summarized below and include the ability to kill Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, thereby affecting host defense against bacterial infections. sPLA2 may be involved in the pathogensis of inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. GIIA sPLA2 protein and mRNA were detected in Paneth cells of the small intestinal mucosa in the intestine in Crohn's disease patients.