Clicking on the following button will change the molecule from the wireframe model, seen at left, into a cartoon where the different secondary structures can be identified. Yellow "arrows" indicate the beta sheets of the molecule, and the "red" helices represent the alpha helices. By doing this it is also easy to see that this molecule is made up of six identical subunits or chains, not including the C2 interfacial binding domain. Use the following button to reveal the substrate in a spacefilling model (van der Waals radii).By zooming in with the mouse and the shift key pressed, it is easy to see which molecules are interacting within the active sites and the ligands. More discussion will be given for enzyme-substrate complex interactions in the Active Site/Function part of this mini-review. By pushing the following button, the picture will focus in on one of the subunits, and its ligand. Here, it becomes obvious that the ligand interacts with the enzyme's alpha helices in the active site.

*Please note, this representation is being done with a highly potent substrate analogue.

Structure of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2; C2 Domain

Pushing on the following button will dsplay the molecule in the cartoon model.However, the alpha helix will not be displayed. Also, the ligand of this part of cPLA2, calcium will be displayed in cyan. Notice the location of the calcium molecules and their close proximity to the end of the beta sheets, which have formed a beta barrel. The following button will include the other parts of the molecule including the alpha helix and the hairpin loops associated with the beta sheets and alpha helix. Also, please note the proximity of the alpha helix and the calcium molecules.