12. The Action of Phospholipases The venom of the Eastern diamondback rattler and the Indian cobra contains phospholipase A2, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of fatty acids at the C-2 position of glycerophospholipids. The phospholipid breakdown product of this reaction is lysolecithin (lecithin is phosphatidylcholine). At high concentrations, this and other lysophospholipids act as detergents, dissolving the membranes of erythrocytes and lysing the cells. Extensive hemolysis may be life- threatening. (a) All detergents are amphipathic. What are the hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of lysolecithin

Compounds derived from Phosphatidyl choline are referred to as Lysolecithins. These compounds are amphiphatic in nature and have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.

Choline, glycerol, and phosphate represent the hydrophyilic portion of lysolecithins,while the fatty acid on C1 is hydrophobic in nature.

Glycerol, choline and phosphate act as a polar tail whereas the fatty acid acts as a long polar head which represents an amphipathic molecule like detergents.