Abstract

Phospholipases A2 homologues are found in the venom of Crotalinae snakes, being their main action related to myonecrosis induction. Although many studies on these toxins had already been performed, their mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, important aspects about these toxins are reviewed, including their correct biological assembly and how essential is the natural substitution D49K for their catalytic inactivity.

Keywords: Phospholipase A2 homologues, snake venom, oligomeric conformation, quaternary structure, myotoxicity, X-ray crystallography