Calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in rat tissue cytosols

Phospholipases A2 in ischemic and toxic brain injury

Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) regulate hydrolysis of fatty acids, including arachidonic acid, from the sn-2 position of phospholipid membranes. PLA2 activity has been implicated in neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative processes secondary to ischemia and reperfusion and other oxidative stresses. The PLA2s constitute a superfamily whose members have diverse functions and patterns of expression. A large number of PLA2s have been identified within the central nervous systems of rodents and humans. We postulated that group IV large molecular weight, cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) has a unique role in neurotoxicity associated with ischemic or toxin stress. We created mice deficient in cPLA2 and tested this hypothesis in two injury models, ischemia/reperfusion and MPTP neurotoxicity. In each model cPLA2 deficient mice are protected against neuronal injury when compared to their wild type littermate controls. These experiments support the hypothesis that cPLA2 is an important mediator of ischemic and oxidative injuries in the brain.

Manoalide, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, inhibits arachidonate incorporation and turnover in brain phospholipids of the awake rat

The Fatty Acid method was used to determine whether incorporation of plasma radiolabeled arachidonic acid into brain phospholipids is controlled by phospholipase A2. Awake rats received an i.v. injection of a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, manoalide (10 mg/kg), and then were infused i.v. with [1-(14)C]arachidonate or [3H]arachidonate. Animals were killed after infusion by microwave irradiation, and tracer distribution was analyzed in brain phospholipid, neutral lipid and acyl-CoA pools. Calcium-independent phospholipase A2 activity in brain homogenate was reduced by manoalide, whereas phospholipase C activity was unaffected. At 60 min but not at 20 or 40 min after its injection, manoalide had significantly decreased by 50% incorporation of unesterified arachidonate into and turnover within brain phospholipids, taking into account dilution of the brain arachidonoyl-CoA pool by recycled arachidonate. Manoalide also increased by 100% the net rate of unesterified arachidonate incorporation into brain triacylglycerol. This study indicates that manoalide can be used to inhibit brain phospholipase A2 in vivo, and that phospholipase A2 plays a critical role in arachidonate turnover in brain phospholipids and neutral lipids.

Isolation and properties of a novel phospholipase A from rat brain that hydrolyses fatty acids at sn-1 and sn-2 positions

A Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A that releases various fatty acids from sn-1 and sn-2 positions was partially purified from rat brain soluble fraction. The enzyme showed an approximate molecular mass of 300 kDa on gel filtration column chromatography. Its enzymatic properties are distinct from those of well characterized phospholipase A2 enzymes; by using a series of synthetic phosphatidylcholines, the enzyme cleaved oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids like phospholipase A2, and released palmitic and stearic acids like phospholipase A1. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidic acid were hydrolysed with almost equal efficiencies by this enzyme. These results indicate that the enzyme isolated is a novel Ca(2+)-independent intracellular phospholipase A that might be responsible for production of various fatty acids from membrane phospholipids.

Effect of the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate on hepatic cyclooxygenase and phospholipase A2 in rats

Peroxisome proliferators, which include several hypolipidemic drugs, plasticizers and other chemicals, induce hepatic tumors in rodents. These chemicals alter the expression of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, such as the cytochrome P450 4A family and peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes. Previous studies have shown that the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate reduces eicosanoid concentrations in rat livers and primary hepatocyte cultures, yet the mechanism is still unclear. In this study we examined cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) to determine whether the rate-limiting enzymes in the eicosanoid synthetic pathway are altered by ciprofibrate. Rats were fed 0.01% ciprofibrate for 3, 6, or 10 days. Western analysis revealed that COX-2 protein was induced by ciprofibrate (up to 13-fold at day 10), but that calcium-dependent (Ca-D) cPLA2 protein was not different from controls. The enzyme activity of calcium-independent (Ca-I) cPLA2 in ciprofibrate-treated rats was increased 2-fold, whereas Ca-D cPLA2 and total COX activities were not affected. Using enzyme kinetics, we found that COX-1 (Ki = 143 microM) and Ca-I cPLA2 (Ki = 121 microM) were competitively inhibited by ciprofibrate, but the inhibition was not physiologically significant. COX-2 and Ca-D cPLA2 were not inhibited by ciprofibrate. These results show that ciprofibrate increases Ca-I cPLA2 enzyme activity and COX-2 protein expression.

Membrane lipid metabolism and phospholipase activity in insect Spodoptera frugiperda 9 ovarian cells

Although there is increasing use of insect ovarian Sf9 cells for the production of recombinant proteins, namely, via the baculovirus vector expression system, little is known about the lipids in the cell membrane and whether endogenous phospholipases are present for regulation of the cell membrane lipids. In this study, analysis of membrane lipids of Sf9 cells indicated the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (diacyl type) and phosphatidylcholine as major phospholipids, followed by phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol (PI), and only trace amounts of ethanolamine plasmalogen. These phospholipids contain high proportions of monoenoic fatty acids, e.g., 16:1 and 18:1, which comprise more than 70% of the total fatty acids although small amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as 18:2 and 20:4 are also present. When Sf9 cells were incubated in a culture medium containing [14C]oleic acid and [14C]arachidonic acid, a large portion of the labels were incorporated into membrane phospholipids. Using [14C]arachidonoyl-phospholipids as substrates for incubation with cell homogenate and subcellular fractions, results indicate the presence of a ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A (PLA2) in the Sf9 cell cytosol fraction. This PLA2 shows a high preference for hydrolysis of PE and is active at a pH range of 7-9. Unlike the brain cells which contain active phospholipase C (PLC) specific for phosphatidylinositol, only limited amount of diacylglycerol (DAG) was released from [14C]arachidonoyl-PE in the Sf9 cells. Taken together, this study demonstrates active metabolism of membrane phospholipids in Sf9 cells, most likely mediated by acyltransferases and PLA2. Furthermore, despite the absence of PLC for PI, limited amount of DAG could be generated through hydrolysis of PE.

Synergy by secretory phospholipase A2 and glutamate on inducing cell death and sustained arachidonic acid metabolic changes in primary cortical neuronal cultures

Secretory and cytosolic phospholipases A2 (sPLA2 and cPLA2) may contribute to the release of arachidonic acid and other bioactive lipids, which are modulators of synaptic function. In primary cortical neuron cultures, neurotoxic cell death and [3H]arachidonate metabolism was studied after adding glutamate and sPLA2 from bee venom. sPLA2, at concentrations eliciting low neurotoxicity (</=100 ng/ml), induced a decrease of [3H]arachidonate-phospholipids and preferential reesterification of the fatty acid into triacylglycerols. Free [3H]arachidonic acid accumulated at higher enzyme concentrations, below those exerting highest toxicity. Synergy in neurotoxicity and [3H]arachidonate release was observed when low, nontoxic (10 ng/ml, 0.71 nM), or mildly toxic (25 ng/ml, 1. 78 nM) concentrations of sPLA2 were added together with glutamate (80 microM). A similar synergy was observed with the sPLA2 OS2, from Taipan snake venom. The NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 blocked glutamate effects and partially inhibited sPLA2 OS2 but not sPLA2 from bee venom-induced arachidonic acid release. Thus, the synergy with glutamate and very low concentrations of exogenously added sPLA2 suggests a potential role for this enzyme in the modulation of glutamatergic synaptic function and of excitotoxicity.

Arachidonic acid as a neurotoxic and neurotrophic substance

In this article we summarize a wide variety of properties of arachidonic acid (AA) in the mammalian nervous system especially in the brain. AA serves as a biologically-active signaling molecule as well as an important component of membrane lipids. Esterified AA is liberated from the membrane by phospholipase activity which is stimulated by various signals such as neurotransmitter-mediated rise in intracellular Ca2+. AA exerts many biological actions which include modulation of the activities of protein kinases and ion channels, inhibition of neurotransmitter uptake, and enhancement of synaptic transmission. AA serves also as a precursor of a variety of eicosanoids, which are formed by oxidative metabolism of AA. AA cascade is activated under several pathological conditions in the brain such as ischemia and seizures, and may be involved in irreversible tissue damage. On the other hand, AA can show beneficial influences on brain tissues and cells in several situations. In a recent study using cultured brain neurons, we have found that AA shows quite distinct actions at a narrow concentration range, such as induction of cell death, promotion of cell survival and enhancement of neurite extension. The neurotoxic action is mediated by free radicals generated by AA metabolism, whereas the neurotrophic actions are exerted by AA itself. The observed in vitro actions of AA might be related to important roles of AA in brain pathogenesis and neural development.

Phosphorylation and activation of Ca(2+)-sensitive cytosolic phospholipase A2 in MCII mast cells mediated by high-affinity Fc receptor for IgE

In the present study we examined the activation of Ca(2+)-sensitive cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) after aggregation of cell-surface high-affinity Fc receptors for IgE (Fc epsilon RI) on mast cells. MCII mast cells (a factor-dependent bone-marrow-derived murine mast cell line) produce significant amounts of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) (70 ng/10(6) cells) on cross-linking of Fc epsilon RI. Using enzymic and immunochemical analysis we found that cPLA2 is the predominant form of this enzyme in MCII mast cells (0.2 micrograms/mg of total protein) and other forms (i.e. secretory PLA2 or Ca2+ independent cytosolic PLA2) could not be detected. Therefore MCII mast cells represent an excellent cellular model for the study of the biochemical mechanism(s) responsible for Fc epsilon RI-induced activation of cPLA2 and the involvement of cPLA2 in Fc epsilon RI-mediated production of LTC4. After activation of Fc epsilon RI by cross-linking, cPLA2 in MCII mast cells exhibited a decreased electrophoretic mobility and its enzyme activity was increased 3-fold. Treatment with phosphatase reversed both the altered electrophoretic mobility and the enhanced enzyme activity demonstrating that they were the result of Fc epsilon RI-induced phosphorylation. On cross-linking of Fc epsilon RI, cPLA2 was phosphorylated within 30 s and appeared to be an early substrate for Fc epsilon RI-activated protein kinases in MCII mast cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation may be a critical component in this process, as genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, blocked the activation of cPLA2. Using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies we observed that the activating phosphorylation was not on tyrosine residues of cPLA2, indicating that tyrosine kinases participate upstream in the signalling cascade that couples Fc epsilon RI to cPLA2. We conclude that in MCII mast cells cPLA2 is activated by kinase-dependent mechanisms and may be responsible for Fc epsilon RI-induced mobilization of arachidonic acid for the generation of LTC4.

Purification and characterization of a calcium-independent acidic phospholipase A2 from rat lung

Several phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities have been identified in rat lung homogenate and shown to be important in metabolism of lung phospholipids. One PLA2 activity is Ca(2+)-independent, active in vitro at pH 4, and inhibited by a substrate analogue, 1-hexadecyl-3-trifluoroethylglycero-sn-2-phosphomethanol (MJ33). Purification of this rat lung PLA2 by approx. 550-fold was carried out by sequential column chromatographies using DE-52, Sephacryl-100, heparin-Sepharose, and phenyl-Sepharose columns. The purified activity had an acidic pH optimum, was Ca(2+)-independent, was inhibited by MJ33 in a dose-dependent manner (50% inhibition at 3 mol%), was unaffected by treatment with p-bromophenacyl bromide or mercaptoethanol, and had a unique N-terminal amino acid sequence. The apparent molecular mass was 15 kDa on gel electrophoresis and activity was recovered in part by renaturation of protein from the gel. The properties of this enzyme suggest a new class of PLA2.

The cloned vasopressin V1a receptor stimulates phospholipase A2, phospholipase C, and phospholipase D through activation of receptor-operated calcium channels

Arginine vasopressin mediates its effects through vasopressin receptor activation and second messenger production. Recent cloning of the V1a receptor provided the opportunity to investigate the possible signal transduction pathways associated with this single vasopressin receptor subtype. When stably expressed in CHO cells, vasopressin stimulated several signal transduction pathways simultaneously including calcium influx, phospholipase A2, phospholipase C, and phospholipase D. Vasopressin-stimulated release of arachidonic acid, IP3 formation, and phosphatidylethanol formation (in the presence of 1% ethanol) were used as indexes of phospholipase A2, phospholipase C, and phospholipase D activation, respectively. V1a receptor-activation stimulated a peak followed by a sustained plateau phase of intracellular calcium. The plateau phase was dependent on extracellular calcium, insensitive to blockers of voltage sensitive calcium channels, blocked by heavy metals, and quenched when MnCl2 was present in the extracellular media. Removal of extracellular calcium blunted the release of IP3, and blocked the release of arachidonic acid and phosphatidylethanol indicating that these responses were at least in part regulated by receptor-operated calcium influx. Vasopressin-stimulated release of arachidonic acid and phosphatidylethanol were augmented with the phorbol ester PMA, and this augmentation was blocked by inhibitors of protein kinase C and absent with long-term PMA treatment. Vasopressin-stimulated IP3 release was inhibited with PMA and the inhibition reversed with protein kinase C inhibitors.

Ca(2+)-independent arachidonic acid release by vascular endothelium requires protein synthesis de novo

We investigated the mechanism by which the G-protein activators aluminium fluoride and vanadate stimulate arachidonic acid release in pig aortic endothelial cells. Our previous study demonstrated a novel Ca(2+)-independent pathway of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activation stimulated by aluminium fluoride in this model. In the present study, we found that sodium metavanadate stimulated a rapid concentration-dependent release of [3H]arachidonic acid from prelabelled cells. A more than 3-fold enhancement of arachidonic acid release was achieved in cells treated with 1 mM vanadate for 20 min. Synthesis of prostaglandin products was similarly enhanced. The release of arachidonic acid was not dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+, but did require protein synthesis de novo. Both cycloheximide and actinomycin D completely blocked aluminium fluoride- and vanadate-stimulated arachidonic acid release. Because fluoride and vanadate are known protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, it is possible that PLA2 activation occurred secondarily to changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Both aluminium fluoride and vanadate stimulated the rapid phosphorylation of 58, 93 and 120 kDa tyrosine-containing protein substrates. However, in contrast with arachidonic acid release, this response was found to be sensitive to the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and insensitive to blockers of protein synthesis de novo. Furthermore H2O2 treatment resulted in rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the same substrates without a concomitant increase in arachidonic acid release. These results suggest that the effects of aluminium fluoride and vanadate on PLA2 are not due to changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation, but do require rapid protein synthesis de novo.

Detection of two phospholipase A2(PLA2) activities in leaves of higher plant Vicia faba and comparison with mammalian PLA2's

Leaves of higher plant Vicia faba contains two Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities which are detected in cytosolic fractions. Based on a gel filtration column chromatography, two cytosolic PLA2 activities migrated with molecular masses of 70 kDa and 14 kDa. The first (70 kDa peak) was optimally active at pH 4.5 and was not dependent on [Ca2+] for its activity. In the presence of 5 mM CaCl2, 'phospholipase B' activity was shown in the 70 kDa peak. The second (14 kDa peak) was optimally active in the pH range 9-10 and required millimolar concentrations of calcium for optimal activity. The two activities were not inhibited by dithiothreitol. Neither anti-pancreatic PLA2 antiserum nor anti-(pig spleen 100 kDa cytosolic PLA2) antiserum immunoprecipitated any activity of the two plant PLA2's. The present results indicate that at least the 14 kDa form of the two PLA2 enzymes detected in leaves of higher plants is biochemically and immunochemically different from the well characterized Ca(2+)-dependent mammalian PLA2's.

Characterization of calcium-independent cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity in the submucosal regions of rat stomach and small intestine

This study was undertaken to compare the calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities in the cytosols of twelve rat tissues and to determine whether their activities were distinct. 1-O-Alk-1'-enyl-2-[14C]-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PlsC) and 1-O-Alk-1'-enyl-2-[14C]oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (PlsE) were synthesized and used as substrates, instead of phosphatidyl compounds, to exclude hydrolysis by cytosolic PLA1 activity that could be present in some of the cytosolic preparations. For each tissue, we examined substrate specificity, pH optimum, and effect of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and ATP analogues. PLA2 activity was detected in eleven out of the twelve issues examined. Based on substrate specificity and pH optimum, cytosolic calcium-independent PLA2 were classified in three groups. The first group, which included PLA2 from small intestine, stomach and spleen, had the highest specific activity with PlsC as substrate (1253, 309 and 75 nmol/mg protein/hour, respectively) and an optimal pH at 6.5. Activity with PlsE as substrate was much lower (20-37%) than with PlsC. The second group of PLA2 activities included the cytosolic activities from thymus, lung, liver and pancreas that showed lower specific activities for both substrates (14-23 nmol/mg protein/hour with PlsC) and had a broader optimal pH range of 6.1 to 7.5. The cytosols from brain, kidney, heart and muscle comprised the third PLA2 group that was found to have a higher specific activity with PlsE (5-20 nmol/mg protein/hour) than PlsC and an optimal pH range from 7.4 to 7.9.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glucocorticoid deficiency increases phospholipase A2 activity in rats

An important mechanism for the antiinflammatory effect of pharmacological doses of glucocorticoids is the inhibition of arachidonic acid release from phospholipids by phospholipase A2 (PLA2). As a corollary, one might predict that low endogenous concentrations of glucocorticoids favor inflammatory disease states. Indeed, clinical and experimental observations revealed an association between glucocorticoid deficiency and disease states caused by immunological and/or inflammatory mechanisms. The purpose of the present investigation was to study the regulation of PLA2 mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity in adrenalectomized (ADX) rats where glucocorticoid concentrations were below physiological levels. The mRNA of group I and II PLA2 were measured by PCR. Group II PLA2 mRNA was increased by 126 +/- 9% in lung tissue of ADX rats, whereas group I PLA2 was increased only by 27 +/- 1.5%. The increase in group II mRNA in ADX rats was reflected by a corresponding increase of group II PLA2 protein (70-100%) in lung, spleen, liver, and kidney. This increase was reversed by the administration of exogenous corticosterone. After ADX, the percentage increase in total PLA2 activity was higher than that of mRNA or PLA2 protein, suggesting that the activity of the enzyme was modulated by inhibitors or activators. The concentration of lipocortin-I, an inhibitor of PLA2 enzyme was strongly correlated with the activity of PLA2 in the tissues (lung, spleen, liver, and kidney). In all these tissues, the concentrations of lipocortin-I declined after ADX. Thus upregulation of PLA2 enzyme and downregulation of lipocortin-I might account for the enhanced inflammatory response in hypoglucocorticoid states.

Purification of a 100 kDa phospholipase A2 from spleen, lung and kidney: antiserum raised to pig spleen phospholipase A2 recognizes a similar form in bovine lung, kidney and platelets, and immunoprecipitates phospholipase A2 activity

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) plays a key role in the production of intracellular and extracellular chemical mediators such as arachidonic acid, eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor, which modulate membrane channel activity, signal transduction, are vasoactive and chemotactic, and are implicated in many pathophysiological mechanisms of inflammation and tissue injury. We previously identified, purified and characterized an arachidonic acid-selective cytosolic 100-110 kDa PLA2 from bovine platelets and rat kidney that is activated during cell stimulation. The purification schemes previously published resulted in low yields of enzyme, insufficient for extensive biochemical characterization. We report the purification of a large-molecular-mass (100 kDa) PLA2 from pig spleen, bovine kidney and bovine lung, using a novel large-scale purification scheme. The enzyme was purified to near homogeneity from an acidified extract obtained from 4.8 kg of pig spleen by sequential use of DEAE-cellulose anionic exchange, Butyl-Toyopearl hydrophobic chromatography and DEAE-5PW h.p.l.c., and further purified by non-denaturing PAGE. This purification scheme will permit the preparation of quantities of purified native enzyme sufficient to study its properties and regulation. To generate antiserum against the PLA2 enzyme, the 100 kDa protein was excised and electroeluted from SDS/PAGE gels of the active fractions after DEAE-5PW h.p.l.c., and this was used as antigen. This polyclonal antibody against pig spleen 100 kDa PLA2 protein reacted with 100 kDa bands in preparations partially purified from bovine platelets, kidney and lung as well as pig spleen, and immunoprecipitated PLA2 activity from these sources. The antibody also immunoprecipitated a 100 kDa protein from cytosolic fractions of cultured renal mesangial cells, human erythroleukaemia cells and human monocytic U937 cells. Considerable PLA2 activity was present in the immunoprecipitates. To our knowledge this antibody is unique in its ability to permit measurement of PLA2 activity in the immunoprecipitate itself, and will be a useful tool for the study of the regulation and the activation mechanisms of the native PLA2 enzyme.

A phospholipase A2 inhibitor decreases generation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance during lung ischemia-reperfusion

A novel active-site directed specific inhibitor of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), 1-hexadecyl-3-trifluoroethylglycero-sn-2-phosphomethanol (MJ33), administered endotracheally co-dispersed in liposomes, significantly reduced the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in isolated rat lungs subjected to ischemia-reperfusion. Elevated conjugated dienes were unaffected. This contrasts with the effects of the cyclo-/lipoxygenase inhibitor 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), which decreased formation of both TBARS and conjugated dienes (CD). The effects of MJ33 plus ETYA were additive for TBARS but results for CD were similar to ETYA alone. A similar dissociation of inhibition of TBARS and CD formation by MJ33 was observed with t-butyl hydroperoxide induced lipid peroxidation of isolated lung microsomes. Assay of lung homogenate with phosphatidylcholine as substrate showed that MJ33 selectively inhibited the Ca(2+)-independent acidic PLA2. MJ33 had no effect on thromboxane B2 release by the isolated lung, indicating the effects of acidic PLA2 inhibition do not involve the arachidonate cascade. MJ33 also partially prevented lung edema and lactate dehydrogenase release associated with ischemia-reperfusion. The observations show that this PLA2 inhibitor can be delivered to oxidant-sensitive lung sites by its co-dispersal in liposomes, and that oxidant-induced lipid peroxidation in this model of lung injury occurs in a complex lipid prior to PLA2 activity.

Characterization of phospholipase A2 and acyltransferase activities in squid (Loligo pealei) axoplasm: comparison with enzyme activities in other neural tissues, axolemma and axoplasmic subfractions

Phospholipase A2 and acyltransferase were assayed and characterized in pure axoplasm and neural tissues of squid. Intracellular phospholipase A2 activity was highest in giant fiber lobe and axoplasm, followed by homogenates from retinal fibers, optic lobe and fin nerve. In most preparations, exogenous calcium (5 mM) caused a slight stimulation of activity. EGTA (2 mM) was somewhat inhibitory, indicating that low levels of endogenous calcium may be required for optimum activity. Phospholipase A2 was inhibited by 0.1 mM p-bromophenacylbromide, and was completely inactivated following heating. The level of acylCoA: lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase activity was higher in axoplasm and giant fiber lobe than in other neural tissues of the squid. Km (apparent) and Vmax (apparent) for oleoyl-CoA and lysophosphatidylcholine were quite similar for axoplasm and giant fiber lobe enzyme preparations. Acyltransferase activity was inactivated by heat treatment, and greatly inhibited by 0.2 mM p-chloromercuribenzoate, and to a lesser extent by 20 mM N-ethylmaleimide. Phospholipase A2 activity was present in fractions enriched in axolemmal membranes (separated from squid retinal fibers and garfish olfactory nerve) from both tissues, and it was also highly concentrated in vesicles derived from squid axoplasm. In all three preparations, phospholipase A2 activity was stimulated by Ca++ (5 mM) and inhibited by EGTA (2 mM). In addition, axoplasmic cytosol (114,000 g supernatant) retained a substantial portion of a Ca(++)-independent phospholipase A2, active in the presence of 2 mM EGTA. Acyltransferase activity was present at high content in both axolemma membrane rich fractions, and among subaxoplasmic fractions and axoplasmic vesicles.

Identification and purification of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 from bovine brain cytosol

Substantial amounts of phospholipase A2 activity were detected in bovine brain cytosol. The major phospholipase A2 activity was present in the precipitate at 40% saturation with solid ammonium sulfate. After the desaltate of the precipitate was loaded onto an Ultrogel AcA 54 gel filtration column, almost all the activity eluted in the void volume when chromatographed without 1 M KCl. However, when buffer with 1 M KCl was used as the eluent, two active peaks were obtained. One peak (peak I) eluted in the void volume, and the other (peak II) eluted with an apparent molecular mass of 39 kDa as compared with standards. The former was active with diacylglycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, whereas the latter was active with both diacylglycero-3-phosphoethanolamine and 1-alk-1'-enyl-2-acylglycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (plasmenylethanolamine). The apparent molecular mass of peak I was estimated to be 110 kDa as compared with standards on an Ultrogel AcA 34 gel filtration column. Both peaks were purified further with a hydrophobic chromatography column (AffiGel 10 coupled with plasmenylethanolamine) and then by high-resolution liquid chromatography on an MA7Q column. The phospholipase A2 obtained from peak II migrated as one main band with a 40-kDa molecular mass and two minor bands with 14- and 25-kDa molecular masses. Phospholipase A2 obtained from peak I eluted as a single peak on high-resolution liquid chromatography but contained two bands with apparent molecular masses of 100 and 110 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The presence of phospholipase A2 in bovine adrenal medulla: arguments for more than one type of phospholipase A2

Since phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is expected to play a role in the mechanism of exocytosis, the presence and subcellular localization of PLA2 in bovine adrenal medulla have been studied. The results of this study reveal that, although a large part of the PLA2 activity in chromaffin cells is due to a lysosomal PLA2, a cytoplasmic PLA2 is also present. This finding is supported by experiments in which the influence of pH, CaCl2 and NaCl on cytoplasmic PLA2 as well as the binding capacity to concanavalin A are investigated. According to these results the properties of a cytoplasmic PLA2 are clearly different from those reported by other authors for the lysosomal PLA2. For this reason, in chromaffin cells a PLA2 could be present which remains in the cytosol when the cell is in rest. Future experiments will have to prove whether this PLA2 becomes associated with the plasma membrane upon stimulation of the cell, thus mediating exocytosis.

Membrane structure, toxins and phospholipase A2 activity

The phospholipid-hydrolyzing enzyme phospholipase A2 (PLA2) (EC 3.1.1.4) exists in several forms which can be located in the cytosol or on cellular membranes. We review briefly cellular regulatory mechanisms involving covalent modification by protein kinase C and the action of Ca2+, cytokines, G proteins and other cellular proteins. The major focus is the role of phospholipid structure on PLA2 activity, including (1) the mechanism of PLA2 action on synthetic phospholipid bilayers, (2) perturbation of synthetic and cellular membranes with lipophilic agents and membrane-interactive peptides and (3) the ability of these agents to activate endogenous PLA2 activity, with emphasis on the venom and plant toxins melittin, cardiotoxin and Pyrularia thionein.

Purification and characterization of rabbit platelet cytosolic phospholipase A2

A phospholipase A2 was purified from rabbit platelet cytosolic fraction to near homogeneity by sequential column chromatographies on heparin-Sepharose, DEAE-Sephacel, butyl-Toyopearl, DEAE-5PW ion-exchange HPLC, and TSK gel G3000SW gel-filtration HPLC. The final preparation with an estimated specific activity of 8630 nmol/min per mg protein, showed a single band with a molecular mass of about 88 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining. The 88-kDa phospholipase A2 exhibited a fatty acid preference; it hydrolyzed phospholipid bearing an arachidonoyl residue at the sn-2 position more effectively than that with a linoleoyl residue. The catalytic activity of the purified enzyme with phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine increased sharply in the presence of between 10(-7) and 10(-6) M calcium ion, indicating that it could be regulated by less than micromolar concentration of calcium. These characteristics differ from those of platelet secretory 14-kDa phospholipase A2 reported previously. Therefore, this 88-kDa enzyme is a novel phospholipase A2 and may participate in the stimulus-dependent release of arachidonoyl residues in rabbit platelets.

Phospholipases A2 in the reproductive system of the bull

1. Phospholipase A2 activities were studied in the reproductive organs, seminal plasma and spermatozoa of adult bulls. 2. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine with 14C-labelled linoleic (lino-PE, lino-PC) or arachidonic acid (ara-PE, ara-PC) at sn-2 position as well as a fluorescent derivative (4-pyrenylbutyric acid) of phosphatidylcholine (PPC) were used as substrates. 3. The radioactive substrates were hydrolysed most strongly by homogenates of the prostate and Cowper's gland, but also seminal vesicle and its secretory fluid, seminal plasma and ejaculated spermatozoa contained hydrolytic activity. The fluorescence substrate was most strongly hydrolysed by homogenates of ampulla and seminal vesicle as well as its secretory fluid, seminal plasma and ejaculated spermatozoa. 4. Seminal plasma and seminal vesicle fluid contained a Ca2(+)-independent enzyme (enzyme I), which hydrolysed only PPC, while another Ca2(+)-dependent enzyme (enzyme II) hydrolysed only the radioactive substrates. 5. Both enzymes were purified from the seminal vesicle fluid and their biochemical properties were analysed. In SDS-PAGE enzyme I preparation resulted in two major bands with molecular weights of 16,000 and 60,000 in equal quantities and minor band at 15,000. The binding of the enzyme I to Con A-Sepharose indicated that it is a glycoprotein and it had multiple pI-values from 3.75 to 5.0. Enzyme II gave in SDS-PAGE two closely located bands with molecular weights of about 15,000 and 16,000 (major band). Isoelectric focusing showed one band at pI 4.7. Both enzymes appear to bind to spermatozoa at ejaculation but their function remains to be shown.

Characterization and inhibitor sensitivity of human sperm phospholipase A2: evidence against pivotal involvement of phospholipase A2 in the acrosome reaction

The kinetic properties and inhibitor sensitivity of human sperm phospholipase A2 (PLA2; EC 3.1.1.4) were studied. Phospholipase activity was isolated from human spermatozoa by acid extraction. Hydrolysis of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine was specific to the sn-2 position. Activity was sensitive to product inhibition (60% inhibition by 0.1 mM lysophosphatidylcholine). The effects of Ca2+ and sodium deoxycholate on enzyme activity were biphasic; maximal activities were observed at 0.5 mM concentration of each agent. PLA2 was stimulated (135%) by 3% dimethylsulfoxide and was inhibited by elevated ionic strength (approximately 70% inhibition with either 0.2 M NaCl or 0.2 M KCl). Two molecular forms of PLA2 were kinetically distinguishable, one with an apparent Michaelis constant and maximal reaction velocity of 3.0 microM and 0.64 mlU/mg protein and the other with respective constants of 630 microM and 32.0 mlU/mg protein. Both forms of the enzyme were Ca2+ dependent and heat stable; however, the low-Km activity was less resistant to 60 degrees C preincubation at pH 7.5 (28% inactivation of low-Km activity after 45 min, as compared to no effect on high-Km activity). Quinacrine was a noncompetitive PLA2 inhibitor with Kis for low- and high-Km activities of 0.42 mM and 0.49 mM, respectively. Trifluoperazine (calmodulin antagonist) inhibited the high-Km activity noncompetitively (Ki = 87 microM) and the low-Km activity by a mechanism consistent with the removal of a nonessential activator. Dissociation and rate constants for inactivation of low- and high-Km activities by p-bromophenacyl bromide were 0.28 mM and 0.032 min-1, and 0.73 mM and 0.066 min-1, respectively. PLA2 was inhibited by p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate, at higher concentrations (10(-4)-10(-3) M) than required to inhibit trypsinlike proteinases; p-aminobenzamidine, another potent trypsin/acrosin inhibitor, stimulated (approximately 40%) PLA2 at concentrations from 2-5 mM but inhibited PLA2 (40-50%) at a concentration of 10 mM. MnCl2 (5mM) inhibited low- and high-Km PLA2 activities by 77% and 76%, respectively. Quinacrine (0.4 mM), trifluoperazine (20 microM), p-bromophenacyl bromide (20 microM), and MnCl2 (5 mM) were tested as inhibitors of the ionophore A23187-induced human acrosome reaction. Inhibition was noted only with quinacrine (32%) and MnCl2 (93%). The effect of MnCl2 was restricted to an interaction with A23187, rather than with PLA2; p-Bromophenacyl bromide inhibited (P less than 0.05) PLA2 (29%) when added to intact spermatozoa but had no effect on the acrosome reaction. PLA2 inhibition was poorly correlated with the acrosome reaction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Inhibition of nuclear T3 binding via PLA2-induced release of fatty acids from nuclear membranes

This study was undertaken to explore putative regulatory mechanisms involved in the inhibition of nuclear T3 binding (INB) by fatty acids. Ether extracts of intact rat liver nuclei contained INB-activity. Removement of the nuclear membrane resulted in the loss of INB-activity of the nuclei. Incubation of intact nuclei with phospholipase A2 increased nuclear INB-activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner; this was correlated with a rise of free fatty acid concentration in the ether extract. We conclude that fatty acids present in the nuclear membrane can be released by phospholipase A2, and are capable of inhibiting nuclear T3 binding.

Nerve growth factor stimulation of arachidonic acid release from PC12 cells: independence from phosphoinositide turnover

The effect of nerve growth factor on the metabolism of arachidonic acid and the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol in PC12 cells was examined. Addition of nerve growth factor to PC12 cells isotopically labeled with [3H]arachidonic acid caused an increased release of radioactivity. In a similar manner, treatment of PC12 cells prelabeled with [3H]inositol increased inositol monophosphate accumulation in the presence of LiCl. Stimulation of [3H]arachidonic acid release by nerve growth factor was concentration dependent, attaining a maximum at 0.5 nM. Concentrations of nerve growth factor above 0.5 nM caused less than maximal stimulation. In contrast, nerve growth factor-stimulated accumulation of [3H]inositol monophosphate exhibited a sigmoidal dose-response curve with an apparent maximum at 8 nM. Increased accumulation of [3H]inositol monophosphate could be detected as early as 60 s after nerve growth factor addition, whereas nerve growth factor-stimulated release of [3H]arachidonic acid was not observed until 5 min after nerve growth factor treatment. The nerve growth factor-stimulated release of [3H]arachidonic acid was independent of extracellular calcium concentration. Increased [3H]inositol monophosphate accumulation elicited by nerve growth factor was dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium. These results suggest that the increased metabolism of arachidonic acid and the enhanced hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol are separately regulated by nerve growth factor.

Purification and characterization of a phospholipase A2 associated with rabbit lung microsomes: some evidence for its mitochondrial origin

Phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) activity appeared to be unevenly distributed among the subcellular fractions of rabbit lung homogenates. The mitochondrial/lysosomal fraction, which possessed the highest specific activity, was the second most abundant source of enzyme, following the 1000 x g pellet. Crude microsomes, which were the poorest source of enzyme, had a specific activity intermediate between that of crude mitochondria and of cytosol. Despite these observations, in view of the putative role of microsomal phospholipase A2 in remodelling phosphatidylcholines for pulmonary surfactant biosynthesis, the purification of phospholipase A2 from microsomal membranes was investigated. The activity was solubilized from rabbit lung microsomes with 1 M KCl and resolved into two distinct peaks by ion-exchange chromatography. The larger peak (95% of the recovered activity) was subjected to a combination of hydroxyapatite and gel-filtration chromatography, resulting in a purification factor in excess of 70,000 relative to the microsomal membranes. There was no indication for the removal of endogenous inhibitor(s) during the purification. Application of the same purification protocol to a 1 M KCl extract of lung mitochondria resulted in phospholipase A2 profiles in each of the four columns employed that had exactly the same elution characteristics as those generated by the microsomal extracts. The purified enzyme is specific for the sn-2 ester bond of phosphatidylcholine, requires Ca2+ for activity and has an alkaline pH optimum. It is heat-labile and susceptible to treatment by p-bromophenacyl bromide and by 2-mercaptoethanol but remains unaffected by NaF, diisopropylfluorophosphate and thiol reagents.

Distinct stimulatory effect of platelet-activating factor on prostaglandin I2 and thromboxane A2 biosynthesis by rat dental pulp

Platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether), but not lyso PAF, stimulated the production of both PGI2 and TXA2 by rat dental pulp tissue in vitro. However, there were differences in the dose- and time-dependence of the stimulatory effects. PAF-acether antagonists, Bn 52021, CV 3988 and kadsurenone, dose dependently inhibited PAF-acether-induced PG production. BN 52021, CV 3988 also dose dependently inhibited TX production, but kadsurenone was almost without effect on TX production. Pretreatment of the tissues with PAF-acether or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate completely abolished the effect of the second challenge with PAF-acether. The stimulatory effects of PAF-acether and the calcium ionophore A23187 on PGI2 production were completely blocked by removal of extracellular calcium, whereas the effects on TXA2 production were not. TMB-8, an intracellular calcium antagonist, completely inhibited PAF-acether-induced PG production, whereas it slightly inhibited TX production. H-7, a protein kinase C inhibitor, and neomycin, a phospholipase C inhibitor, completely inhibited PAF-acether-induced PG and TX production, whereas W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, did not. These results suggest that PAF-acether stimulates PGI2 and TXA2 production in rat dental pulp by interacting with distinct PAF-acether receptors, and that these receptors are coupled to independent signal transduction pathways which have a different dependence on extra- and intracellular calcium.

Compartmental heterogeneity of soluble phospholipases A

Multiple forms of soluble phospholipase A2 (PLA2) are known to coexist in venoms of individual reptilian species. While similar observations in several mammalian species suggest that this is a common phenomenon, the functional implications are not yet understood. In attempting to devise therapeutic strategies for treatment of inflammatory disorders by inhibition of PLA2, it is imperative to define the various PLA2 species in the relevant compartments. Herein, we report the presence of three PLA2 isotypes in rheumatoid arthritis serum, one pancreatic and two nonpancreatic phospholipases A2. The pancreatic and one of the nonpancreatic forms were optimally active in 7 mM calcium at pH 7.5. The other nonpancreatic form was calcium-independent and optimally active at pH 7.0. Only the calcium-dependent nonpancreatic form was observed in rheumatoid synovial fluid. Of the three serum isotypes, only the calcium-dependent nonpancreatic form correlated with markers of disease activity, such as the joint count and Landsbury index. Therefore, not all soluble or circulating phospholipases A2 are relevant to inflammatory processes. Selective inhibition of the proinflammatory form of PLA2 may prove to have some therapeutic benefit while minimizing the possible adverse effects of this form of intervention.

Cellular and extracellular phospholipase A2 activity in zymosan pleurisy in rat

The pleural exudate from rats treated intrapleurally with zymosan contains phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity which is Ca2(+)-independent and optimally active at a neutral pH. This PLA2 activity was found in approximately equal amounts in both the cellular and extracellular fractions of the exudate. The Ca2(+)-independency of the PLA2's in the pleural exudate distinguishes them from plasma PLA2's and this suggests that the source of the exudate PLA2's is not plasma. The appearance of PLA2 activity in zymosan-induced pleural exudate correlates temporally with increases in exudate volume and pleural cell number. In all cases, the maximum response was seen 24 hr after zymosan challenge. All parameters of pleurisy and PLA2 activity are similarly sensitive to the steroid dexamethasone which has been hypothesized to act, in part, through the synthesis of PLA2 inhibitory peptides. In its entirety, this information suggests that there is a relationship between pleural PLA2 activity and the appearance of pleural inflammation (exudate volume and cells) and that PLA2 may play an important role in the initiation and propagation of this inflammatory process in rats. Furthermore, the zymosan-induced pleurisy model may serve as a useful model for the identification of PLA2 inhibitors with antiinflammatory activity.

Localization and evolution of two human phospholipase A2 genes and two related genetic elements

Mammals are now known to contain at least two distinct classes of phospholipases A2, the progenitors of which can be seen in the venoms of snakes. Mammalian "Type I" PLA2, synthesized primarily by the pancreas, is also present in smaller amounts in other tissues including lung, spleen, and kidney. Recently, a mammalian "Type II" PLA2 has been sequenced, and shown to occur in platelets, synovial cells and fluid, cells of inflammatory peritoneal exudate, liver, intestine, kidney, and placenta. This form, referred to here as Type IIA PLA2, could play a key role in arachidonate release in both normal and pathologic inflammation. The genes encoding both forms have also been recently cloned. Here, the sites of synthesis and respective roles of the two known enzymes are discussed, along with an analysis of the evolutionary conservation of Type IIA PLA2 gene sequence. In addition, two related genetic elements containing sequences homologous to a portion of Type II PLA2 are described, which map to the same chromosome as the Type IIA PLA2 gene (chromosome 1). Either or both of these could also encode a portion of additional mammalian PLA2s.

Isolation and characterization of phospholipase A2 from rat lung with affinity chromatography and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

A phospholipase A2 (PLA2, EC 3.1.1.4) from rat lung has been isolated and characterized. PLA2 was purified with ion-exchange and affinity chromatography and the purified enzyme was characterized with regard to pH optimum and calcium dependence. The isolated enzyme was also analyzed with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by Western immunoblots. The enzyme activity was found to be highest at pH 9.5-10.0, with a requirement for calcium, and the molecular mass was estimated to be 12 kDa by means of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis revealed two isoforms of PLA2 with isoelectric points of 7.8 and 9.5. On DEAE-Sepharose, PLA2 eluted as two peaks, one in the flow-through fraction and the other with increased salt concentration. Both peaks contained the same two PLA2 isoforms, as judged by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These results demonstrate the presence in rat lung of two isoforms of a calcium-dependent 12 kDa PLA2 with alkaline pH optimum. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, this enzyme can be identified also in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.