Phospholipase A2 inhibitors (βPLIs) are encoded in the venom glands of Lachesis muta (Crotalinae, Viperidae) snakes.

Phospholipase A(2) inhibitors (PLIs) are glycoproteins secreted by snake liver into the circulating blood aiming the self-protection against toxic venom phospholipases A(2). In the present study, we describe the first complete nucleotide sequence of a βPLI from venom glands of a New World snake, Lachesis muta. The deduced primary structure was compared to other known βPLIs and recent literature findings of other possible roles of PLIs in snakes are discussed.