The antibacterial properties of secreted phospholipases A(2).
There is a considerable body of evidence to support the antibacterial properties of the group IIa phospholipase A(2) as an important physiological function. This enzyme is able to act as an acute phase protein and may be part of the innate defence system of the body, acting in concert with other antibacterial proteins and peptides. The enzyme is most effective against Gram-positive bacteria whereas penetration of the lipopolysaccharide coat of Gram-negative bacteria requires bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) as an additional permeabilizing factor. The global cationic nature of this protein (pI>10.5) appears to facilitate penetration of the anionic bacterial cell wall. In addition, the considerable preference of the enzyme for anionic phospholipid interfaces provides specificity toward anionic bacterial membranes as opposed to zwitterionic eucaryotic cell membranes.
Buckland
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AG
Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, SO16 7PX, Southampton, UK.
Wilton
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DC
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000838:Anions; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000201:enzymology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008958:Models, Molecular; D019879:Paneth Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000172:deficiency / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D055672:Static Electricity
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000838:Anions; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010743:Phospholipids; C021623:bactericidal permeability increasing protein; D010741:Phospholipases A