Identification and characterization of phospholipases A from the skin secretion of Pithecopus azureus anuran.

The present work reports the isolation, characterization and the complete sequence of a phospholipase A (PLA) present in the skin secretion of Pithecopus azureus. Among several peptides and small proteins previously described by our group from some species belonging to this amphibian genus (formerly named Phyllomedusa), a 15 kDa N-glycosylated protein showing PLA activity was purified, assayed, sequenced and named Pa-PLA. The Pithecopus azureus skin phospholipase A polypeptide chain is composed by 125 amino acid residues linked by seven disulfide bonds and two N-glycosylated sites (N67 and N108).