Crystal structure of phospholipase PA2-Vb, a protease-activated receptor agonist from the Trimeresurus stejnegeri snake venom

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is an important component in snake venoms. Here, an acidic PLA2, designated PA2-Vb was isolated from the Trimeresurus stejnegeri snake venom. PA2-Vb acts on a protease-activated receptor (PAR-1) to evoke Ca2+ release through the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) and induces mouse aorta contraction. PAR-1, phospholipase C and IP3R inhibitors suppressed PA2-Vb-induced aorta contraction. The crystal structure reveals that PA2-Vb has the typical fold of most snake venom PLA2. Several PEG molecules bond to a positively charged pocket. The finding offers a novel pharmacological basis of the structure for investigating the PAR-1 receptor and suggests potential applications for PA2-Vb in the vascular system.