A phospholipase A1 platelet activator from the wasp venom of Vespa magnifica (Smith)

Wasp is an important venomous animal that can induce human fatalities. Aortic thrombosis and cerebral infarction are major clinical symptoms after massive wasp stings but the reason leading to the envenomation manifestation is still not known. In this paper, a toxin protein is purified and characterized by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, CM-Sephadex C-25 cationic exchange and fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) from the venom of the wasp, Vespa magnifica (Smith). This protein, named magnifin, contains phospholipase-like activity and induces platelet aggregation. The cDNA encoding magnifin is cloned from the venom sac cDNA library of the wasp. The predicted protein was deduced from the cDNA with a sequence composed of 337 amino acid residues. Magnifin is very similar to other phospholipase A1 (PLA1), especially to other wasp allergen PLA1. Magnifin can activate platelet aggregation and induce thrombosis in vivo. The current results proved that PLA1 in wasp venom could be contributable to aortic thrombosis after massive wasp stings.