Phospholipase A2—A Significant Bio-Active Molecule in Honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) Venom

Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> (PLA<sub>2</sub>) is a prevalent molecule in the honeybee venom. Its importance is reflected by the number of scientists focused on studying it from various points of view. This review summarises a significant amount of data concerning this fascina...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mara Muntean, Adrian Florea
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2623
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1839653218682929152
author Mara Muntean
Adrian Florea
author_facet Mara Muntean
Adrian Florea
author_sort Mara Muntean
collection DOAJ
description Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> (PLA<sub>2</sub>) is a prevalent molecule in the honeybee venom. Its importance is reflected by the number of scientists focused on studying it from various points of view. This review summarises a significant amount of data concerning this fascinating substance. Firstly, the origin and occurrence of PLA<sub>2</sub>, with similarities and differences among species or populations of bees are highlighted. Next, its synthesis, post-translational processing and structural features are described, followed by the PLA<sub>2</sub> availability. In a larger section, the multiple effects of honeybee venom PLA<sub>2</sub> are detailed, starting with the main ability as an enzyme to interact with biological membranes and to hydrolyse the sn-2 ester bond in 1,2-diacyl-sn-3-phosphoglycerides; the docking process, the substrate binding and the catalytic steps are analysed too. Then, the pro-/anti-inflammatory effect and allergenic property, the anticoagulant effect and the involvement of PLA<sub>2</sub> in apoptosis are revised. Selected antiviral, antibiotic and antitumoral effects of PLA<sub>2</sub>, as well as its use in immunotherapy are mentioned as beneficial applications. Additionally, the mechanisms of toxicity of PLA<sub>2</sub> are presented in detail. Finally, a number of anti-PLA<sub>2</sub> compounds are enumerated. In each section, the features of the honeybee venom molecule are discussed in relation to PLA<sub>2</sub>s from other species.
format Article
id doaj-art-f735b20f702f45dcb4ae48f23dce9f48
institution Matheson Library
issn 1420-3049
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-f735b20f702f45dcb4ae48f23dce9f482025-06-25T14:13:44ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013012262310.3390/molecules30122623Phospholipase A2—A Significant Bio-Active Molecule in Honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) VenomMara Muntean0Adrian Florea1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6. Louis Pasteur St., 400349 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6. Louis Pasteur St., 400349 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaPhospholipase A<sub>2</sub> (PLA<sub>2</sub>) is a prevalent molecule in the honeybee venom. Its importance is reflected by the number of scientists focused on studying it from various points of view. This review summarises a significant amount of data concerning this fascinating substance. Firstly, the origin and occurrence of PLA<sub>2</sub>, with similarities and differences among species or populations of bees are highlighted. Next, its synthesis, post-translational processing and structural features are described, followed by the PLA<sub>2</sub> availability. In a larger section, the multiple effects of honeybee venom PLA<sub>2</sub> are detailed, starting with the main ability as an enzyme to interact with biological membranes and to hydrolyse the sn-2 ester bond in 1,2-diacyl-sn-3-phosphoglycerides; the docking process, the substrate binding and the catalytic steps are analysed too. Then, the pro-/anti-inflammatory effect and allergenic property, the anticoagulant effect and the involvement of PLA<sub>2</sub> in apoptosis are revised. Selected antiviral, antibiotic and antitumoral effects of PLA<sub>2</sub>, as well as its use in immunotherapy are mentioned as beneficial applications. Additionally, the mechanisms of toxicity of PLA<sub>2</sub> are presented in detail. Finally, a number of anti-PLA<sub>2</sub> compounds are enumerated. In each section, the features of the honeybee venom molecule are discussed in relation to PLA<sub>2</sub>s from other species.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2623phospholipase A<sub>2</sub>honeybee venom<i>Apis mellifera</i>cell membranephospholipidsallergen
spellingShingle Mara Muntean
Adrian Florea
Phospholipase A2—A Significant Bio-Active Molecule in Honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) Venom
Molecules
phospholipase A<sub>2</sub>
honeybee venom
<i>Apis mellifera</i>
cell membrane
phospholipids
allergen
title Phospholipase A2—A Significant Bio-Active Molecule in Honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) Venom
title_full Phospholipase A2—A Significant Bio-Active Molecule in Honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) Venom
title_fullStr Phospholipase A2—A Significant Bio-Active Molecule in Honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) Venom
title_full_unstemmed Phospholipase A2—A Significant Bio-Active Molecule in Honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) Venom
title_short Phospholipase A2—A Significant Bio-Active Molecule in Honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) Venom
title_sort phospholipase a2 a significant bio active molecule in honeybee i apis mellifera i l venom
topic phospholipase A<sub>2</sub>
honeybee venom
<i>Apis mellifera</i>
cell membrane
phospholipids
allergen
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2623
work_keys_str_mv AT maramuntean phospholipasea2asignificantbioactivemoleculeinhoneybeeiapismelliferailvenom
AT adrianflorea phospholipasea2asignificantbioactivemoleculeinhoneybeeiapismelliferailvenom