phospholipase A2

enzyme

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glucocorticoids

  • In glucocorticoid

    …indirectly inhibit the activity of phospholipase A2, an enzyme that plays an essential role in the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes; its inhibition by lipocortin-1 underlies part of the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids also reduce the synthesis of some proteins that directly mediate the inflammatory response.

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spitting cobras

  • Mozambique spitting cobra ejecting venom from its fangs
    In spitting cobra: Venom delivery

    …higher proportion of the toxin phospholipase-A2, which works with other toxins in the venom to maximize pain and thus neutralize the threat to the snake. Some researchers have suggested that the adaptation of these snakes to “spit” venom came about specifically to deter attacks from humans.

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