Calcium-Independent Membrane Damage by Venom Phospholipases A(2)

Abstract

Many snake venom phospholipase A(2)s (vPLA(2)s) present biological effects that are independent of hydrolytic activity. Here we review the evidence for the calcium-independent membrane damaging activity of vPLA(2)s, the possible relevance of this activity on their biological effects, and models for the mechanism of membrane permeabilization by these proteins.