ACTIVATION OF BEE VENOM PHOSPHOLIPASE A(2) THROUGH A PEPTIDE-ENZYME COMPLEX

Phospholipase A(2) activation by membrane-bound peptides was investiga ted in order to understand the role of the membrane-induced conformati on on activation, and to examine the occurrence of a peptide-enzyme co mplex at the lipid/water interface, For the peptides studied, bee veno m phospholipase A(2) was stimulated regardless of the membrane-bound c onformation (alpha-helix, beta-sheet or random coil), Using antisera r aised against melittin, we were able to demonstrate the occurrence of a calcium-dependent complex involving the enzyme, phospholipid substra te, and peptide.