Cytosolic phospholipases A2 (cPLA2s) consist of a family of calcium-sensitive enzymes that function to generate lipid second messengers through hydrolysis of membrane-associated glycerophospholipids. In humans, the cPLA2 family contains six isoforms. Structural information of full length cPLA2alpha apo form, shows that it is composed of two domains; an N-terminal Ca2 + binding C2 domain and a C-terminal alpha/beta hydrolase core. This entry describes the N-terminal Ca2+ binding C2 domain which is composed of an eight-stranded antiparallel beta-sandwich consisting of two four-stranded beta-sheets. C2 domains are present in many lipid-binding proteins including Copines, CAPRI and Rabphilin-3A all of which are involved in membrane trafficking [1].

1: Structure of Human GIVD Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 Reveals Insights into Substrate Recognition. Wang H, Klein MG, Snell G, Lane W, Zou H, Levin I, Li K, Sang BC; J Mol Biol. 2016;428:2769-2779. PMID:27220631