Activation of phospholipase D by sphingoid bases in NG108-15 neural-derived cells

Formation of endogenous free sphingoid bases in cells induced by changing medium conditions

Sphingoid bases are precursors and breakdown products of sphingolipids and may function as second messengers. Here we have tested the hypothesis that sphingoid bases are produced in cells in response to external stimuli. Using a high-performance liquid chromatography system, the pattern and the amounts of free sphingoid bases in various cell types (i.e., NIH-3T3, A431, NG108-15) were determined. The predominant sphingoid base in these mammalian cells was identified as C-18 sphingosine, followed by C-18 sphinganine (dihydrosphingosine). In all cells examined, the levels of endogenous sphingoid bases can be rapidly elevated by replacing cell-conditioned medium with Hepes-buffered saline or with fresh medium, causing a dramatic increase (up to 9.5-fold) in sphingosine levels within 60 min; sphinganine levels were raised to a lesser extent (up to 4.5-fold). Addition of ammonium ions inhibited the generation of sphingoid bases. These results suggest that the machinery for metabolizing sphingoid bases can be stimulated rapidly, although the exact nature of the stimulus remains obscure. Nevertheless, the ability to control sphingosine formation in cells by changing medium conditions provides a powerful tool for investigations of the physiological roles of endogenous sphingosine.

A role for phospholipase D in control of mitogenesis

How do growth factors that act on G protein-coupled cell-surface receptors communicate with the nucleus? These receptors commonly activate phospholipase C, and it has been assumed that the consequent rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations and activation of protein kinase C mediates the mitogenic response. Recent evidence has demonstrated that phospholipase D (PLD) might be capable of eliciting mitogenesis. This enzyme is stimulated by a variety of growth factors, including those that act on receptors that possess intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity as well as those acting on G protein-coupled receptors. In this review, Michael Boarder considers the evidence that PLD, activated downstream of tyrosine protein kinases by both classes of cell-surface growth factor receptor, is implicated in the mitogenic response. This evidence is related to the possibility of PLD involvement in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by endothelin-1 and platelet-derived growth factor.

Sphingolipid breakdown products: anti-proliferative and tumor-suppressor lipids

The sphingolipids are a family of lipids found ubiquitously in eukaryotic cell membranes. Within the last decade sphingolipids have emerged as active participants in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, transformation, and cell-cell contact. A prototypic sphingolipid signalling pathway is the 'sphingomyelin cycle,' in which membrane sphingomyelin is hydrolyzed in response to extracellular stimuli, generating the putative second messenger ceramide. Ceramide, in turn, is thought to propagate the signal into the cell interior by the activation of a phosphatase. It is likely that other sphingolipids are components of similar signalling cycles, generating a variety of lipid messengers which participate in as yet undefined pathways. Sphingosine, for example, is a potential breakdown product of all sphingolipids, and is well-known for its pharmacologic inhibition of protein kinase C. However, it is becoming apparent that sphingosine is active in multiple signalling cascades that are independent of protein kinase C, including effects on fibroblast cell growth and the regulation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein. Similarly, lyso-sphingolipids, while comprising only a minor fraction of the cell's total sphingolipids, are turning out to have biological effects which warrant their investigation as potential signalling molecules. A distinguishing characteristic of sphingolipid breakdown products is their apparent participation in anti-proliferative pathways of cell regulation. Thus, sphingolipid breakdown products can be found to play roles in growth inhibition, induction of differentiation, and programmed cell death. In coordination with other cellular signal transduction pathways, the sphingolipid breakdown products may be the harnesses on cell growth and may also contribute to the suppression of oncogenesis.

Interaction of sphingosine and stearylamine with phosphatidylserine as studied by DSC and NMR

The interaction of sphingosine (SP) and stearylamine (SA) with dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine (DPPS) has been studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR). DSC showed that SP and SA rigidified the membranes, forming an azeotropic mixture with DPPS. The azeotropic mixture which was formed between DPPS and SP was found at a DPPS/SP molar ratio of 2:1 whereas SA and DPPS formed an azeotropic mixture at a DPPS/SA molar ratio of 1:1. An eutectic point was observed at 85 mol% of SP and 90 mol% of SA in DPPS. 31P-NMR showed the presence of a lamellar phase at DPPS/SP and DPPS/SA molar ratios lower than 1:1, whereas at higher molar ratios and at high temperatures, besides the lamellar phase, an isotropic component was detected. It was found that, at physiological pH, both SP and SA were protonated in a large extent, i.e., positively charged, since their apparent pK in the membrane were 9.1 and 8.9, respectively. The results reported in this work may be relevant to understand a number of biological effects produced by these positively charged molecules, due to their electrostatic interaction with negatively charged phospholipids.

Influence of sphingosine on the thermal phase behaviour of neutral and acidic phospholipid liposomes

The physical state of lipids is known to have pronounced effects on membrane functions. We studied the influence of sphingosine, a modulator of diverse cellular processes on the thermal phase behaviour and molecular packing of neutral and acidic phospholipids. Differential scanning calorimetry of multilamellar liposomes as well as the monolayer technique were employed. Inclusion of sphingosine in diacylphosphatidylcholine liposomes increased their pretransition temperature Tp until at about 10 mol% sphingosine this transition was abolished. For these liposomes a gradual increase in both the temperature Tm and enthalpy delta Hm of the main transition caused by sphingosine was observed. In contrast to diacylphosphatidylcholines, the Tp for dihexadecylphosphatidylcholine was lowered by sphingosine, demonstrating that the latter destabilizes the interdigitated gel phase. Inclusion of sphingosine in dimyristoylphosphatidic acid and dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine liposomes first elevated the Tm without significant changes in delta Hm, while at sphingosine contents > 50 mol% the appearance of complex melting profiles was evident. The transition temperature for the egg yolk phosphatidic acid was shifted from below 0 to 29 degrees C when mixed with sphingosine in a molar ratio of 1:1. Sphingosine also condensed the eggPA monolayers residing on an air-buffer interface. Accordingly, besides introducing a positive surface charge allowing the binding or activation of some proteins, sphingosine could influence membrane-mediated cellular processes by altering the organization and state of membrane lipids.

Dietary ethanol stimulates the activity of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D and the formation of phosphatidylethanol in Drosophila melanogaster larvae

When administered in the diet to third instar Drosophila melanogaster larvae, short chain primary alcohols reduce phosphatidylcholine (PC) levels. The ethanol-induced reductions in larval PC may be in part due to an increase in the activity of PC-specific phospholipase D (PC-specific PLD, EC 3.1.4.4). PC-specific PLD not only hydrolyzes PC, but it also apparently catalyzes the formation of phosphatidylethanol. PC-specific PLD activity was also stimulated by 200 mM ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, and n-propanol. In vitro studies indicated that Drosophila PC-specific PLD activities were enhanced by submicromolar concentrations of Ca2+ and by GTP-gamma S. In vivo studies utilizing [14C]lyso-palmitoyl phosphatidylcholine indicated that dietary ethanol promoted the flux of label into triacylglycerol, 1,2 diacylglycerol, and fatty acid ethyl esters, while the label in PC decreased.

Activation of phospholipase D following perturbation of the human T lymphocyte antigen receptor/CD3 complex is dependent upon protein kinase C

Perturbation of the T lymphocyte antigen receptor/CD3 complex or phorbol ester stimulation leads to activation of phospholipase D in the Jurkat T lymphocyte cell line. These observations suggested that phospholipase D activation might result from activation of protein kinase C. In other systems, phospholipase D activity has been shown to be under G-protein or protein kinase C control. Studies detailed here demonstrate that commonly used inhibitors of protein kinase C had unrelated, diverse effects on phospholipase D activity in T lymphocytes. However, protein kinase C down-regulation resulting from prolonged cellular exposure to phorbol esters led to abrogation of anti-CD3-stimulated phospholipase D activation. The results presented underline the complexity of studies employing inhibitors of protein kinase C, suggest interesting approaches to isolation of phospholipase D dependent signalling pathways, confirm that T cell antigen receptor-linked activation of phospholipase D is dependent upon protein kinase C activity and suggest that distant events of T lymphocyte activation are dependent upon the establishment of a positive feedback loop involving protein kinase C and phospholipase D which would result in the prolonged activation of protein kinase C required for certain lymphokine production.

Signal transduction pathways coupled to a P2U receptor in neuroblastoma x glioma (NG108-15) cells

Extracellular ATP has neurotransmitter-like properties in the CNS and PNS that are mediated by a cell-surface P2 purinergic receptor. In the present study, we have extensively characterized the signal transduction pathways that are associated with activation of a P2U receptor in a cultured neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cell line (NG108-15 cells). The addition of > or = 1 microM ATP to NG108-15 cells caused a transient increase in [Ca2+]i that was inhibited by 40% when extracellular calcium was chelated by EGTA. ATP concentrations > or = 500 microM also elicited a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i that was inhibited when extracellular calcium was chelated by EGTA. The increase in [Ca2+]i elicited by ATP occurred concomitantly with the hydrolysis of [32P]-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates and an increase in the level of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. ATP also caused a time- and dose-dependent increase in levels of [3H]inositol monophosphates in lithium-treated cells. Separation of the inositol monophosphate isomers by ion chromatography revealed a specific increase in the level of inositol 4-monophosphate. The magnitude of the increase in [Ca2+]i elicited by ATP correlated with the concentration of the fully ionized form of ATP (ATP4-) in the medium and not with the concentration of magnesium-ATP (MgATP2-). Similar to ATP, UTP also induced polyphosphoinositide breakdown, inositol phosphate formation, and an increase in [Ca2+]i. ADP, ITP, TTP, GTP, ATP gamma S, 2-methylthio ATP, beta, gamma-imidoATP or 3'-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoylATP, but not CTP, AMP, beta, gamma-methylene ATP, or adenosine, also caused an increase in [Ca2+]i. In cells labeled with [32P]P(i) or [14C]-arachidonic acid, ATP caused a transient increase in levels of labeled phosphatidic acids, but had no effect on levels of arachidonic acid. The increase in phosphatidic acid levels elicited by ATP apparently was not due to activation of a phospholipase D because ATP did not induce the formation of phosphatidylethanol in [14C]myristic acid-labeled cells incubated in the presence of ethanol. These findings support the hypothesis that a P2 nucleotide receptor in NG108-15 cells is coupled to a signal transduction pathway involving the activation of a phospholipase C and a plasma membrane calcium channel, but not the activation of phospholipases A2 and D.

Regulation of phospholipase D activity in a human oligodendroglioma cell line (HOG)

Oligodendroglial cells express many specific proteins, such as myelin basic protein (MBP), which are physiologically phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC). Diacylglycerols are physiological activators of PKC and can be liberated from phospholipids by the direct receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C (PL-C) or indirectly via the activation of phospholipase D (PL-D). In a well-characterized human oligodendroglioma (HOG) cell line, PL-C (measured by release of [3H]inositol phosphates) and PL-D (formation of [3H]myristoylated or palmitoylated phosphatidylethanol) were activated by both carbachol (blocked by pirenzepine, suggesting an M1 receptor) and histamine (H1 receptor) but not glutamate, bradykinin, or phenylephrine. PL-C stimulation by carbachol or histamine was completely inhibited by short-term treatment (< 30 min) with phorbol ester (TPA), a PKC activator. In contrast, PL-D activation by either carbachol or histamine was stimulated in additive fashion by TPA, suggesting at least two distinct mechanisms for PL-D activation. Down regulation of PKC by prolonged (24 hr) treatment with TPA reversed the inhibitory effects of TPA on PL-C and the stimulatory effects on PL-D. However, the PKC inhibitors H-7 and galactosylsphingosine did not inhibit the TPA-mediated stimulation of PLD while the less-specific PKC inhibitor, staurosporine, was only partially inhibitory. Preexposure of cells to carbachol, greatly reduced both PL-C and PL-D activation by carbachol, suggesting homologous desensitization. Time-course studies indicated that PL-D activation (10 sec or less) was at least as fast as PL-C activation, and the affinity of carbachol and histamine for the receptor coupled to either phospholipase (EC50 = 5-10 microM) was about the same.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Staurosporine stimulates phospholipase D activation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Treatment of 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-phosphatidylcholine-prelabeled human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) with staurosporine (50 nM to 1 microM) induced a time- and concentration-dependent generation of tritiated phosphatidic acid (PA), reaching approximately 225% of the control value at 15-20 min. In the presence of ethanol, staurosporine induced a production of phosphatidylethanol (PEt) reaching, 250% of control values, and partial inhibition of PA production, consistent with PLD activation. The amount of ether-linked acylglycerol (EAG) was weakly enhanced (29%) after 5 min of PMN treatment; longer treatment resulted in no significant EAG production, suggesting a possible late inhibition of PA hydrolase activity. Staurosporine concentrations that induced an elevation in PA completely depressed protein kinase C (PKC) activity in both soluble and particulate cell fractions, suggesting that PLD activation may occur independently from PKC activation. PLD may thus represent a potential cellular target for staurosporine action.

Activation of phospholipase D by endothelin-1 and other pharmacological agents in rabbit iris sphincter smooth muscle

The stimulation of phospholipase D (PLD) activity by endothelin-1 (ET1) was investigated in rabbit iris sphincter prelabelled with [3H]myristic acid. In the presence of 0.5% ethanol, ET1 caused a time- and dose-dependent increase in the production of [3H]phosphatidylethanol ([3H]PEt). Within 30 s the peptide increased PEt formation by 30% and after 5 min increased it by 140%. The EC50 value for ET1-stimulated PEt formation was found to be 30 nM. This value is appreciably lower than the EC50 we previously obtained for ET1-induced inositol trisphosphate production (45 nM), but considerably higher than that for arachidonic acid release (1 nM). PEt formation was significantly stimulated by prostaglandin F20, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), chloroform, A23187 and A1F4-, but it was not affected by carbachol or the platelet-activating factor. PDBu-stimulated PEt formation was blocked by staurosporine and it was not potentiated by A23187. Staurosporine had no effect on ET1-stimulated PEt formation. Our data indicate that ET1 stimulation of PLD occurs independently of protein kinase C activation, phospholipase C activation and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, and phospholipase A2 activation. In this tissue the ET1 receptor is probably coupled to the three phospholipases through several G-proteins, and this appears to be species and receptor type specific.

Sphingolipid metabolism and signal transduction: inhibition of in vitro phospholipase activity by sphingosine

Sphingosine inhibits protein kinase C activity in vitro and has been used to implicate this enzyme in signal transduction and cell function. We report that sphingosine directly inhibits phospholipases A2 and D. Sphingosine inhibits Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipases A2 from Naja naja, porcine pancreas, Crotalus adamanteus, human disc and neutrophil in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values ranging from 5-40 microM using [1-14C]oleate-labelled autoclaved E. coli (20 microM) as substrate. Inhibition is comparable using the same concentrations (20 microM) of [1-14C]oleate-labelled C. albicans or E. coli, or aqueous dispersions of 1-acyl-2-[1-14C]linoleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine or -choline. Sphinganine and stearylamine are as inhibitory as sphingosine; monoolein is less inhibitory (IC50 = 70 microM), while octylamine, N-acetylsphingosine, sphingomyelin and ceramide have no effect. Inhibition is relieved by increasing concentrations of substrate phospholipid. The molar ratio of sphingosine to phospholipid required for 50% inhibition ranges from 0.5 to 1.0 with 2-100 microM E. coli phospholipid. In contrast, sphingosine has a biphasic effect on the hydrolysis of E. coli by S. chromofuscus phospholipase D; concentrations less than or equal to 25 microM stimulate activity while concentrations greater than 25 microM are inhibitory. Addition of Triton X-100 eliminates both the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of sphingosine on phospholipase D activity.

Effects of okadaic acid on the activities of two distinct phosphatidate phosphohydrolases in rat hepatocytes

Incubation of hepatocytes with okadaic acid displaced the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive phosphatidate phosphohydrolase from the membrane fraction into the cytosol and partially prevented the oleate-induced movement of phosphohydrolase from cytosol to membranes. However, higher concentrations of oleate still caused translocation and activation of the phosphohydrolase. This enzyme is stimulated by Mg2+, and is probably involved in glycerolipid synthesis. Okadaic acid also decreased the concentration of diacylglycerol within the hepatocytes. Okadiac acid had no observable effect on the activity of an N-ethylmaleimide-insensitive phosphatidate phosphohydrolase which remained firmly attached to membranes. This activity is not stimulated by Mg2+ and is probably involved in signal transduction by the phospholipase D pathway.

Selective inhibition by 4-hydroxynonenal of sphingosine-stimulated phospholipase D in NIH 3T3 cells

In fibroblasts, the mitogenic effects of sphingosine involves a rapid rise in the cellular content of phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) which may be due to the stimulation of phospholipase D, or inhibition of PtdOH phosphohydrolase, or both. Here, we demonstrate that in fibroblasts, 4-hydroxynonenal is a selective inhibitor of sphingosine-stimulated phospholipid hydrolysis, and it also inhibits sphingosine-induced formation of PtdOH.

Bimodal distribution of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase in NG108-15 cells. Modulation by the amphiphilic lipids oleic acid and sphingosine

The properties and bimodal distribution of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase (PAP) were investigated in neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells. Two PAP activities distinguished by their differential sensitivity to Mg2+ and Triton X-100 were identified in the cytosolic and microsomal fractions. A digitonin permeabilization method was employed to study the basal distribution of the cytosolic PAP and its redistribution upon cell exposure to amphiphilic lipids. Under conditions which release 100% of the cytosolic marker enzyme lactate dehydrogenase, only 60% of total cellular PAP activity was released into the medium through the digitonin-induced membrane pores, suggesting that about 40% of the total are membrane associated. Elevated plasma-membrane levels of phosphatidic acid, accomplished by incubating cells with Streptomyces chromofuscus phospholipase D, did not affect the distribution of cytosolic PAP. In contrast, oleic acid induced a marked concentration-dependent redistribution of the cytosolic enzyme to the particulate fraction. PAP redistribution was completely abolished in the presence of the sphingoid base sphingosine, previously shown to inhibit PAP activity in vitro (Lavie, Y., Piterman, O. & Liscovitch, M. (1990) FEBS Lett. 277, 7-10). Thus, the distribution of cytosolic PAP is reciprocally regulated by a long-chain (fatty) acid and a long-chain (sphingoid) base which are breakdown products of phospholipids and sphingolipids, respectively. These effects might influence PAP function in glycerolipid metabolism and signal transduction under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Inhibition of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase by sphingosine

Sphingosine inhibits autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase in vitro and in situ. This lysosphingolipid has been shown previously to inhibit the Ca2+/lipid-dependent protein kinase C. Here we show that insulin-dependent autophosphorylation of partially purified insulin receptor is half-maximally inhibited by 145 microM sphingosine (9 mol %) in Triton X-100 micelles. Half-maximal inhibition of protein kinase C autophosphorylation occurs with 60 microM sphingosine (3.4 mol %) in Triton X-100 mixed micelles containing phosphatidylserine and diacylglycerol. Sphingomyelin does not inhibit significantly the insulin receptor, suggesting that, as with protein kinase C, the free amino group may be essential for inhibition. Similar to the effects observed for protein kinase C, inhibition of the insulin receptor kinase by sphingosine is reduced in the presence of other lipids. However, the reduction displays a marked dependence on the lipid species: phosphatidylserine, but not a mixture of lipids compositionally similar to the cell membrane, markedly reduces the potency of sphingosine inhibition. The inhibition occurs at the level of the protein/membrane interaction: a soluble form of the insulin receptor comprising the cytoplasmic kinase domain is resistant to sphingosine inhibition. Lastly, sphingosine inhibits the insulin-stimulated rate of tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor in NIH 3T3 cells expressing the human insulin receptor. These results suggest that sphingosine alters membrane function independently of protein kinase C.

Modulation of human lymphoblastoid B cell line by phorbol ester and sphingosine. A 31P-NMR study

Changes in phospholipid and energy metabolism in Epstein-Barr Virus transformed B lymphocytes (EBV-B), induced by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PD) and sphingosine (an inhibitor of protein kinase C), have been evaluated by 31P-NMR spectroscopy. The effects of PD and sphingosine on [3H]thymidine incorporation have also been studied. An increase in phosphorylcholine (PCho) levels has been observed in sphingosine and sphingosine + PD treated cells after 30 min of incubation, whereas no change was observed in lymphocytes incubated with PD during the same period. Extracellular choline levels increased in sphingosine treated cells but decreased in PD treated cells. Hence, a sphingosine-dependent hydrolysis of choline-linked phospholipids is suggested. A time-dependent reduction of PCho observed after 120 min PD incubation is consistent with an increase of the synthesis of choline-linked phospholipids.

Ethanol potentiates the stimulatory effects of phorbol ester, sphingosine and 4-hydroxynonenal on the hydrolysis of phosphatidylethanolamine in NIH 3T3 cells

Ethanol and other alcohols have been shown to specifically stimulate phospholipase-D-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Here, we further examined the possible mechanism of this ethanol action. Ethanol (10-300 mM) and the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) had synergistic stimulatory effects on the degradation of preformed [14C]PtdEtn when added in combination to [14C]ethanolamine-labelled suspended NIH 3T3 cells 30 min after collection of cells by scraping. Scraping caused a transient increase, lasting for less than 30 min, in the cellular content of 1,2-diacylglycerol, another PKC activator. Initially (0-50 min incubation), the main water-soluble product of [14C]PtdEtn degradation in ethanol plus TPA-treated cells was [14C]ethanolamine, while later (90 min) the main product of [14C]PtdEtn hydrolysis was [14C]ethanolamine phosphate in the presence of these agents. Ethanol also potentiated the specific stimulatory effects of sphingosine (through phospholipase D) and 4-hydroxynonenal (not involving phospholipase D) on PtdEtn hydrolysis. The effects of these latter agents were unrelated to PKC activation. These data indicate that the observed potentiating effects of ethanol on PtdEtn hydrolysis do not involve direct regulation of PKC or phospholipase D activities.

Assays for investigations of signal transduction mechanisms involving phospholipase D: mass measurements of phosphatidate, phosphatidylethanol, and diacylglycerol in cultured cells

With the intent of achieving a better understanding of agonist-induced phospholipase D activity, we have developed simple, rapid assays for quantitating the mass of phosphatidate, phosphatidylethanol, and diacylglycerol. Crude lipid extracts of cultured cells are used; preliminary sample cleanup or derivatization procedures are not necessary. The assays resolve the particular lipids by short-bed/continuous-development thin-layer chromatography. Quantitative assessments are derived from photodensitometric analysis of charred lipid spots. The assays may be employed for as little as 45 pmol of diacylglycerol and 50 pmol of phosphatidate or phosphatidylethanol. The newly developed assays are compared to other procedures for quantitating lipid mediators. The utility of the assays is illustrated in experiments that use a variety of cultured cells to demonstrate the agonist activation of the phospholipase D pathway. In addition, experiments designed to screen various agonists for signal-response coupling to phospholipase D are described.

Lipid modulators of epidermal proliferation and differentiation

The importance of lipids within the skin as components of the permeability barrier has been appreciated for quite some time. However, the more recent work reviewed here suggests numerous alternative bioactive functions for lipid molecules within the skin and other tissues. The precise roles of lipids in epidermal proliferation and differentiation have only begun to be studied and are far from being defined.

Phospholipase D in cell signalling and its relationship to phospholipase C

Phospholipases C and D are phosphodiesterases which act on phospholipid head groups. Although the presence of these enzymes in living organisms has long been known, it is only recently that their role in cell signal transduction has been appreciated. The new developments on phospholipases D (PLD) are especially noteworthy, since these enzymes catalyze a novel pathway for second messenger generation. In a variety of mammalian cell systems, several biological or chemical agents have recently been shown to stimulate PLD activity. Depending on the system, activation of PLD has been suggested to be either dependent on, or independent of, Ca2+ and protein kinase C. PLD primarily hydrolyses phosphatidylcholine (PC) but phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine have also been reported as substrates. Different forms of endogenous PLD may also exist in cells. Exogenous addition of PLD causes alterations in cellular functions. In many instances, Ca2+ mobilizing agonists may stimulate both PLC and PLD pathways. Interestingly, several metabolites of these two enzymes are second messengers and are common to both pathways (e.g. phosphatidic acid, diglyceride). This has raised the issue of the interrelationship between these pathways. The regulation of either PLC or PLD by cellular components, e.g. guanine nucleotide binding proteins or protein kinases, is under intense investigation. These recent advances are providing novel information on the significance of phospholipase C and D mediated phospholipid turnover in cellular signalling. This review highlights some of these new discoveries and emerging issues, as well as challenges for future research on phospholipases.

Regulation of the metabolism of 1,2-diacylglycerols and inositol phosphates that respond to receptor activation

This review assimilates information on the regulation of the metabolism of those inositol phosphates and diacylglycerols that respond to receptor activation. Particular emphasis is placed on the regulation of specific enzymes, the occurrence of isoenzymes, and metabolic compartmentalization; the overall aim is to demonstrate the significance of these activities in relation to the physiological impact of the various cell signalling processes.

Inhibition of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase activity by sphingosine. Dual action of sphingosine in diacylglycerol signal termination

Recent evidence indicates that a major fraction of diacylglycerol that is produced in hormonally stimulated cells arises by phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis via the sequential action of phospholipase D and phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase (PAP). We have previously reported that sphingoid bases stimulate phospholipase D activity in NG108-15 cells. The evidence presented here demonstrates that in sphingosine-treated NG108-15 cells, elevated phosphatidic acid levels are accompanied by a parallel, time- and dose-dependent decrease in diacylglycerol levels. DL-propranolol, a known inhibitor of PAP, exerted similar effects, suggesting that the action of sphingosine may have been due to inhibition of PAP activity. This prediction was confirmed in in vitro experiments in which it was demonstrated that sphingosine is as potent an inhibitor of both cytosolic and membrane-associated PAP activity as propranolol. The hypothesis that sphingoid bases may exert a dual action in diacylglycerol signal termination is proposed.

Protein kinase C and platelet inhibition by D-erythro-sphingosine: comparison with N,N-dimethylsphingosine and commercial preparation

Sphingosine has been shown to be a potent and specific inhibitor of protein kinase C in vitro and in cell systems including human platelets. Questions have been raised as to the validity of commercial sphingosine as a protein kinase C inhibitor and whether sphingosine or N,N-dimethylsphingosine is the active species. In the present study, we compared the effects of synthetic D-erythro-sphingosine, N,N-dimethylsphingosine and commercial sphingosine on purified protein kinase C in vitro and washed human platelets. These three compounds were found to be of high purity and well-defined structure based on [1H]NMR, FAB-mass Spectrometry, and TLC analysis. Both synthetic D-erythro-sphingosine and commercial sphingosine inhibited protein kinase C in vitro using vesicle as well as mixed micellar assays. N,N-dimethylsphingosine also significantly inhibited purified protein kinase C in vitro. Both preparations of sphingosine inhibited phosphorylation for 40 kD protein, a known substrate of protein kinase C in platelets. Similarly both sphingosine preparations inhibited aggregation and secretion of human platelets induced by 8 nM gamma-thrombin. These results indicate that sphingosine from commercial source, synthetic sphingosine and N,N-dimethylsphingosine are equipotent in inhibiting protein kinase C. These studies also validate the utility of sphingosine as a phamarcologic inhibitor of protein kinase C in vitro and in cell systems.

Evidence for protein kinase C independent activation of phospholipase D by phorbol esters in lymphocytes

Recently it was reported that tumor-promoting phorbol esters stimulate the production of phosphatidylethanol (PEt) in lymphocytes through the activation of phospholipase D (PLD). However, it remains unclear whether this activation is mediated through protein kinase (PKC). The study reported here shows that tumor promoters 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), phorbol dibutyrate (PDBU), 12-deoxyphorbol-13-phenylacetate (DOPP), 12-deoxyphorbol-13-phenylacetate-20-acetate (DOPPA) and mezerin activated PLD, as measured by the formation of PEt, whereas Concanavalin A (ConA) had no effect. Inhibitors of PKC, sphingosine (2 x 10(-6) M - 5 x 10(-6) M), H-7, HA1004 (5 x 10(-7) - 5 x 10(-6) M) and K252a (1 x 10(-7) - 1 x 10(-6) M) failed to block the PEt synthesis induced by TPA. In fact, sphingosine increased it. Other PKC activators, 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) and dioctanoylglycerol (DiC8) had no effect on lymphocyte PLD activity. Analysis of the phospholipid contents after stimulation by TPA showed that only phosphatidylcholine (PC) was significantly decreased. Interestingly, TPA activated PLD in intact cells but not in lysates or subcellular fractions. These observations suggest that stimulation of PLD-catalyzed PEt synthesis by TPA is not solely mediated through PKC activation.