Evolution of Phospholipase A2 Toxins in Venomous Animals

Franc Gubensek devoted much of his research career to the phospholipases A2 (PLA2), which are the major pharmacologically active components of snake venoms. Our long collaboration started with an analysis of Vipera ammodytes ammodytoxin and ammodytin cDNAs and genes. These PLA2 genes provided us with an entry into the exciting area of molecular evolution. We studied the structures of the PLA2 genes, the evolution of multigene families encoding PLA2 toxins, and the horizontal transfer of unusual retroelements that we found in these genes. In the last decade a number of novel features have emerged concerning the evolution of PLA2s in venomous animals. The large amount of recently accumulated data has provided a timely opportunity to review current understanding of the evolution of PLA2 toxins in venomous animals.