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Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates
Published on: November 23, 2016
Understanding the binding mechanism of succinic acid against phospholipase A2 from bee venom
H V Kutumbarao Nidamarthi1, Manisha Choudhury1,2, Devadasan Velmurugan1
1Centre of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract:
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2 ) is responsible for the release of fatty acids from glycerophospholipids. PLA2 is commonly found in mammalian tissues. It is also found in venom from different animals ranging from insects, arachnid, and snakes. The release of arachidonic acid in large amount results in inflammation and pain. Identification of compounds that can inhibit the activity of PLA2 is of large scientific and medicinal interest as these compounds can act as antidotes toward snake bites and bee stings. Among the different compounds that have been tested for inhibition of PLA2 , a secondary metabolite succinic acid is identified to inhibit PLA2 activity. The inhibition was analyzed using an in vitro PLA2 inhibition assay and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies. The molecular mechanism of the mode of inhibition was studied using molecular docking and simulation studies.
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