Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of a toxic phospholipase A2 from the venom of Vipera ammodytes meridionalis complexed to a synthetic inhibitor.

A toxic phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) is isolated from the neurotoxic complex Vipoxin, the major lethal component of the venom of Vipera ammodytes meridionalis. The enzyme is complexed to the synthetic inhibitor elaidoylamide and crystallized. The crystals belong to the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit cell dimensions a=46.57 A, b=82.68 A, c=119.47 A and beta=90 degrees. Initial diffraction data to 3.3 A resolution are collected.