Characterization of a novel phospholipase A2 activity in human brain

Increased calcium-independent phospholipase A2 activity in first but not in multiepisode chronic schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Increased activity of calcium independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) has repeatedly been found in the serum of unmedicated first-episode schizophrenia patients and assumed to reflect a pertubation of phospholipid metabolism. Previous studies in chronic schizophrenia were less conclusive. To explore whether iPLA2 changes are stage dependent, we investigated serum iPLA2 activity in various stages of schizophrenia.

METHODS

iPLA2 activity was assessed in the serum of 30 first-episode and 23 multiepisode schizophrenia patients and 53 healthy control subjects matched for age and gender. A fluorimetric assay was applied using the PLA2 specific substrate NBDC6-HPC, thin-layer chromatography of reaction products, and digital image scanning for signal detection.

RESULTS

Group comparison between first-episode and multiepisode patients and corresponding control groups revealed significantly increased iPLA2 activity only in first-episode patients. Enzyme activity in first-episode patients was also markedly increased, compared with chronic patients. iPLA2 changes observed were irrespective of neuroleptic medication, age, or gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest increased lipid turnover in the acute early phase of schizophrenia that is less obvious in chronic stages. Future longitudinal studies involving iPLA2 activity and phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy need to address the relation between perturbed brain lipid metabolism and iPLA2 increment in the course of schizophrenia.

Brain phospholipases A2: a perspective on the history

The phospholipases A2 (PLA2) belong to a large family of enzymes involved in the generation of several second messengers that play an important role in signal transduction processes associated with normal brain function. The phospholipase A2 family includes secretory phospholipase A2, cytosolic phospholipase A2, calcium-independent phospholipase A2, plasmalogen-selective phospholipase A2 and many other enzymes with phospholipase A2 activity that have not been classified. Few attempts have been made purify and characterize the multiple forms of PLA2 and none have been fully characterized and cloned from brain tissue. A tight regulation of phospholipase A2 isozymes is necessary for maintaining physiological levels of free fatty acids including arachidonic acid and its metabolites in the various types of neural cells. Under normal conditions, phospholipase A2 isozymes may be involved in neurotransmitter release, long-term potentiation, growth and differentiation, and membrane repair. Under pathological conditions, high levels of lipid metabolites generated by phospholipase A2 are involved in neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neural cell injury.

Neuroprotection and peptide toxins

Neurodegeneration induced by excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate is considered to be of particular relevance in several types of acute and chronic neurological impairments ranging from cerebral ischaemia to neuropathological conditions such as motor neuron disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. The hyperexcitation of glutamate receptors coupled with calcium overload can be prevented or modulated by using well-established competitive and non-competitive antagonists targeting ion/receptor channels. The exponentially increasing body of pharmacological evidence over the years indicates potential applications of peptide toxins, due to their exquisite subtype selectivity on ion channels and receptors, as lead structures for the development of drugs for the treatment of wide variety of neurological disorders. This review comprehensively highlights the overview of the diversity in the molecular as well as neurobiological mechanisms of different peptide toxins derived from venomous animals with particular reference to neuroprotection. In addition, the potential applications of peptide toxins in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders such as neuromuscular disorders, epilepsy, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, gliomas and ischaemic stroke and their future prospects in the diagnosis as well as in the therapy are addressed.

Decreased activity of brain phospholipid metabolic enzymes in human users of cocaine and methamphetamine

Phospholipids are essential components of cell membranes which may also function to mediate some of the behavioural effects of dopamine receptor stimulation caused by psychostimulant drugs. Neuroimaging and pharmacological data suggest that abnormal brain metabolism of phospholipids might explain some of the consequences of chronic exposure to drugs of abuse including drug craving. We previously reported decreased activity of calcium-stimulated phospholipase A(2) (Ca-PLA(2)) in autopsied putamen of human cocaine users. To establish the specificity of this change in phospholipid metabolism and whether decreased Ca-PLA(2) might be a general feature of all abused drugs which enhance dopaminergic neurotransmission, we measured activity of 11 major phospholipid metabolic enzymes in dopamine-rich (putamen) and poor brain areas of chronic users of cocaine and of methamphetamine. Enzyme changes were restricted to the putamen which showed decreased (-21%, as compared with the control subjects) Ca-PLA(2) activity in users of methamphetamine and reduced (-31%) activity of phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (PCCT), the rate-limiting enzyme of phosphatidylcholine synthesis, in the cocaine users. We suggest that chronic exposure to psychostimulant drugs might cause a compensatory downregulation of Ca-PLA(2) in dopamine-rich brain areas due to excessive dopamine-related stimulation of the enzyme. Decreased striatal Ca-PLA(2) and/or PCCT activity in cocaine users might also help to explain why CDP choline, which enhances phospholipid synthesis, reduces craving in some users of the drug cocaine.

Chronic cocaine administration reduces phospholipase A(2) activity in rat brain striatum

BACKGROUND

Phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) catalyses the release of free fatty acids used for eicosanoid biosynthesis. We previously reported that calcium-stimulated PLA(2) activity is reduced in the brain of cocaine users and patients with schizophrenia, and have speculated that this is due to dopaminergic hyperactivity in both conditions.

METHODS

To investigate these observations under controlled conditions, PLA(2) activity was measured in brain of rats exposed to cocaine and the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol.

RESULTS

As compared with saline-treated controls, calcium-stimulated PLA(2) activity was reduced (-30%; P<0.01) in the dopamine-rich striatum of animals sacrificed 1 h after chronic (20 mg/kg/day) injection of cocaine, but was normal in haloperidol- (2 mg/kg/day) treated animals, and in the dopamine-poor cortex and cerebellum of animals treated with either drug.

CONCLUSION

This confirms and extends our observations in human brain, and further suggests a link between the brain dopaminergic and phospholipid catabolic systems.

Elevated activity of phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes in substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease

We reported that the activities of phospholipase A2, phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase and phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase, key phospholipid metabolic enzymes, are low in substantia nigra of normal human brain and that this might reduce the ability of nigral neurons to repair damage to cell membranes. To determine whether adaptive changes in nigral phospholipid metabolism can occur in idiopathic Parkinson's disease we compared activities of 11 catabolic and anabolic enzymes in autopsied brain of 10 patients with Parkinson's disease to those in control subjects. Nigral activity of the catabolic enzyme phospholipase A2 was normal in the Parkinson's disease group, whereas that of the biosynthetic enzymes phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase, phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase, and phosphatidylserine synthase were elevated 193, 48 and 38%, respectively, possibly representing a compensatory response to repair membrane phospholipids. Enzyme activities were normal in all other brain areas with the exception of increased (+26%) activity of calcium-stimulated phospholipase A2 in putamen, a change which could be consequent to either decreased dopaminergic striatal input or to a dopamine nerve terminal degenerative process. Our data indicate that the normally low rate of membrane phospholipid synthesis in the substantia nigra, the primary area of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease, is increased during the course of the disorder. We suggest that pharmacotherapies which augment this compensatory response might have utility as a treatment for Parkinson's disease.

Role of phospholipase A(2) on the variations of the choline signal intensity observed by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy in brain diseases

Phospholipase A(2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of membrane glycerophospholipids leading to the production of metabolites observable by both 1H and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The signal of choline-containing compounds (Cho) observed by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy is constituted of metabolites of phosphatidylcholine, especially phosphocholine (PCho) and glycerophosphocholine (GPCho). The phosphomonoester (PME) and phosphodiester (PDE) signals observed by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy are, respectively, precursors and catabolites of phospholipids. A large number of brain diseases have been reported to cause variations in the intensity of the Cho, PME and PDE signals. Changes in the activity of phospholipase A(2) have been measured in many brain diseases. In this review, the relationships between the results of 1H and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the phospholipase A(2) assays are analyzed. In many brain diseases, the variation in the Cho signal intensity can be correlated with a stimulation or inhibition of the phospholipase A(2) activity.

A continuous fluorometric assay for phospholipase A(2) activity in brain cytosol

Alterations in phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activity have been implicated in Alzheimer disease and other neurological disorders, although brain PLA(2) activity is currently measured using lengthy, non-continuous assays. We describe herein a rapid, continuous assay in which we measured PLA(2) activity in mouse brain cytosol (CB-57). Brains were homogenized in HEPES buffer (pH 7.5) and the cytosolic fraction was prepared by centrifugation at 25000xg for 20 min, followed by centrifugation of the supernatant at 100000xg for 60 min. Cytosolic protein content was determined using the Bradford assay. Pyrene labeled phosphatidylcholine was added to 50 microg of cytosolic protein in Tris buffer (pH 8.0) containing fatty acid free-bovine serum albumin for a final assay volume of 2 ml. Assay temperature was maintained at 30+/-1 degrees C. The excitation wavelength was 345 nm and emission was measured at 377 nm. Fluorescence intensity was converted to molar concentrations using a standard curve. Under these conditions, bromoenol lactone inhibited up to 58% of the PLA(2) activity with an IC(50) of 0.5 microM. In a separate experiment, lack of appreciable alternative acylhydrolase activity was verified chromatographically. Using this method, brain PLA(2) activity can be measured in a continuous, rapid, and sensitive manner.

A frontal variant of Alzheimer's disease exhibits decreased calcium-independent phospholipase A2 activity in the prefrontal cortex

A frontal variant of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has recently been identified on neuropathological and neuropsychological grounds (Johnson, J.K., Head, E., Kim, R., Starr, A., Cotman, C.W., 1999. Clinical and pathological evidence for a frontal variant of Alzheimer Disease. Arch. Neurol. 56, 1233-1239). Frontal AD differs strikingly from typical AD by the occurrence of neurofibrillary tangle densities in the frontal cortex as high or higher than in the entorhinal cortex. Since cerebrocortical membranes are commonly abnormal in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we assayed frontal AD cases for enzymes regulating membrane phospholipid composition. We specifically measured activity of phospholipase A2s (PLA2s) in dorsolateral prefrontal and lateral temporal cortices of frontal AD cases (n=12), which have respectively high and low densities of neurofibrillary tangles. In neither cortical area was Ca(2+)-dependent PLA2 activity abnormal compared to controls (n=12). In contrast, a significant 42% decrease in Ca(2+)-independent PLA2 activity was found in the dorsolateral prefrontal, but not the lateral temporal, cortex of the frontal AD cases. Similarly, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, but not the lateral temporal cortex of the frontal AD cases suffered a 42% decrease in total free fatty acid content, though neither that decrease nor those in any one species of free fatty acid was significant. The observed biochemical changes probably occurred in neurons given (a) our finding that PLA2 activity of cultured human NT2 neurons is virtually all Ca(2+)-independent and (b) the finding of others that nearly all Ca(2+)-independent PLA2 in brain gray matter is neuronal. The decrease in Ca(2+)-independent PLA2 activity is not readily attributable to Group VI or VIII iPLA2s since neither NT2N neurons nor our brain homogenates were greatly inhibited by drugs potently suppressing those iPLA2s. Decreased Ca(2+)-independent PLA2 activity in frontal AD may reflect a compensatory response to pathologically accelerated phospholipid metabolism early in the disorder. That could cause an early elevation of prefrontal free fatty acids, which can stimulate polymerization of tau and thus promote the prefrontal neurofibrillary tangle formation characteristic of frontal AD.

Glycerophospholipids in brain: their metabolism, incorporation into membranes, functions, and involvement in neurological disorders

Neural membranes contain several classes of glycerophospholipids which turnover at different rates with respect to their structure and localization in different cells and membranes. The glycerophospholipid composition of neural membranes greatly alters their functional efficacy. The length of glycerophospholipid acyl chain and the degree of saturation are important determinants of many membrane characteristics including the formation of lateral domains that are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Receptor-mediated degradation of glycerophospholipids by phospholipases A(l), A(2), C, and D results in generation of second messengers such as arachidonic acid, eicosanoids, platelet activating factor and diacylglycerol. Thus, neural membrane phospholipids are a reservoir for second messengers. They are also involved in apoptosis, modulation of activities of transporters, and membrane-bound enzymes. Marked alterations in neural membrane glycerophospholipid composition have been reported to occur in neurological disorders. These alterations result in changes in membrane fluidity and permeability. These processes along with the accumulation of lipid peroxides and compromised energy metabolism may be responsible for the neurodegeneration observed in neurological disorders.

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.

Regional distribution, ontogeny, purification, and characterization of the Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 from rat brain

We purified an 80-kDa Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) from rat brain using octyl-Sepharose, ATP-agarose, and calmodulin-agarose column chromatography steps. This procedure gave a 30,000-fold purification and yielded 4 microg of a near-homogeneous iPLA2 with a specific activity of 4.3 micromol/min/mg. Peptide sequences of the rat brain iPLA2 display considerable homology to sequences of the iPLA2 from P388D1 macrophages, Chinese hamster ovary cells, and human B lymphocytes. Under optimal conditions, the iPLA2 revealed the following substrate preference toward the fatty acid chain in the sn-2 position of phosphatidylcholine: linoleoyl > palmitoyl > oleoyl > arachidonoyl. The rat brain iPLA2 also showed a head group preference for choline > or = ethanolamine >> inositol. The iPLA2 is inactivated when exposed to pure phospholipid vesicles. The only exception is vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Studies on the regional distribution and ontogeny of various phospholipase A2 (PLA2) types in rat brain indicate that the iPLA2 is the dominant PLA2 activity in the cytosolic fraction, whereas the group IIA secreted PLA2 is the dominant activity in the particulate fraction. The activities of these two enzymes change during postnatal development.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 is induced in reactive glia following different forms of neurodegeneration

Many recent studies have emphasized the deleterious role of inflammation in CNS injury. Increases in free fatty acids, eicosanoids, and products of lipid peroxidation are known to occur in various conditions of acute and chronic CNS injury, including cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease. Although an inflammatory response can be induced by many different means, phospholipases, such as cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), may play an important role in the production of inflammatory mediators and in the production of other potential second messengers. cPLA(2) hydrolyzes membrane phospholipids and its activity liberates free fatty acids leading directly to the production of eicosanoids. We investigated the cellular localization of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) in the CNS following: (1) focal and global cerebral ischemia, (2) facial nerve axotomy, (3) human cases of Alzheimer's disease, (4) transgenic mice overexpressing mutant superoxide dismutase, a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and (5) transgenic mice overexpressing mutant amyloid precursor protein, which exhibits age-related amyloid deposition characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. We show that in every condition evaluated, cytosolic phospholipase A(2) is present in reactive glial cells within the precise region of neuron loss. In conditions where neurons did not degenerate or are protected from death, cytosolic phospholipase A(2) is not observed. Both astrocytes and microglial cells are immunoreactive for cytosolic phospholipase A(2) following injury, with astrocytes being the most consistent cell type expressing cytosolic phospholipase A(2). The presence of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) does not merely overlap with reactive astroglia, as reactive astrocytes were observed that did not exhibit cytosolic phospholipase A(2) immunoreactivity. In most conditions evaluated, inflammatory processes have been postulated to play a pivotal role and may even participate in neuronal cell death. These results suggest that cytosolic phospholipase A(2) may prove an attractive therapeutic target for neurodegeneration.

Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine metabolites may regulate brain phospholipid catabolism via inhibition of lysophospholipase activity

Brain levels of glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE), abundant metabolites of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, are increased in several disorders of the human brain. To determine whether accumulation of these compounds may alter phospholipid metabolism, we assessed the ability of GPE and GPC to modulate the activities of phospholipase A(2), lysophospholipase, and other enzymes involved in phospholipid metabolism, in preparations of human brain parietal cortex. GPC and GPE acted as competitive inhibitors of lysophospholipase activity, but failed to alter the activity of the other enzymes tested. Our results suggest that GPC and GPE may normally act to inhibit lysophospholipid hydrolysis, thereby reducing the rate of membrane phospholipid degradation.

Involvement of axonal phospholipase A2 activity in the outgrowth of adult mouse sensory axons in vitro

The effect on axonal outgrowth of inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity was studied in a recently developed in vitro model, where dorsal root ganglia with attached spinal roots and nerve stumps from young adult mice were cultured in an extracellular matrix material (Matrigel). The phospholipase A2 inhibitors 4-bromophenacyl bromide and oleyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine dose-dependently reduced axonal outgrowth from the sciatic nerve stump. A similar inhibitory effect was seen when only the cut nerve end was exposed to the inhibitors in a compartmental culture system. The local effect of phospholipase A2 inhibition was further investigated on axons established in culture, using time-lapse recording. Exposure to phospholipase A2 inhibitors caused the retraction of filopodia extensions and a reduction in growth cone motility within a few minutes. After removal of inhibition, normal growth cone motility and axonal growth were regained. Nerve cell bodies and axons, in contrast to Schwann cells, showed immunoreactivity after staining with an antiserum against secretory phospholipase A2, and elevated levels of the enzyme could be detected after culture for 24 h. The immunoreactive protein was of approximately 170,000 molecular weight (phospholipase A2-170) as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The localization of phospholipase A2-170 in axons growing into the Matrigel was also demonstrated by use of a whole-mount technique. The results of this study show the importance of continuous phospholipase A2 activity for growth cone motility and axonal outgrowth in the mammalian peripheral nerve, and suggest the involvement of an axonally localized enzyme.

Inhibitors of intracellular phospholipase A2 activity: their neurochemical effects and therapeutical importance for neurological disorders

Intracellular phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are a diverse group of enzymes with a growing number of members. These enzymes hydrolyze membrane phospholipids into fatty acid and lysophospholipids. These lipid products may serve as intracellular second messengers or can be further metabolized to potent inflammatory mediators, such as eicosanoids and platelet-activating factors. Several inhibitors of nonneural intracellular PLA2 have been recently discovered. However, nothing is known about their neurochemical effects, mechanism of action or toxicity in human or animal models of neurological disorders. Elevated intracellular PLA2 activities, found in neurological disorders strongly associated with inflammation and oxidative stress (ischemia, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer's disease), can be treated with specific, potent and nontoxic inhibitors of PLA2 that can cross blood-brain barrier without harm. Currently, potent intracellular PLA2 inhibitors are not available for clinical use in human or animal models of neurological disorders, but studies on this interesting topic are beginning to emerge. The use of nonspecific intracellular PLA2 inhibitors (quinacrine, heparin, gangliosides, vitamin E) in animal model studies of neurological disorders in vivo has provided some useful information on tolerance, toxicity, and effectiveness of these compounds.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) distribution in murine brain and functional studies indicate that cPLA2 does not participate in muscarinic receptor-mediated signaling in neurons

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) catalyzes the selective release of arachidonic acid from the sn-2 position of membrane phospholipids and has been suggested as an effector in the receptor-mediated release of arachidonic acid in signal transduction. The potential role of cPLA2 as an effector in muscarinic acetylcholine receptor signaling was investigated through ectopic expression of either the m1 or m5 receptor in combination with cPLA2 in COS-1, CHO and U-373 MG cell lines. U-373 MG and COS-1 cells express undetectable or very low levels of cPLA2. CHO cell extracts are characterized by a significant endogenous PLA2 activity that was increased over 20-fold following transient expression with cPLA2 cDNA. However, in none of the cells lines did the co-expression of muscarinic receptor and cPLA2 result in a significant increase in muscarinic receptor-mediated arachidonic acid release over cells expressing muscarinic receptor alone. The distribution of cPLA2 mRNA and cPLA2 immunoreactivity in murine brain were determined in order to investigate a potential role for cPLA2 in neurotransmission. cPLA2 mRNA was expressed in white matter, including cells contained within linear arrays characteristic of interfascicular oligodendrocytes. cPLA2 immunoreactivity in white matter was evident throughout the processes of fibrous astrocytes. cPLA2 expression in gray matter was confined to astrocytes at the pial surface of the brain. cPLA2 mRNA was detected in pia mater, both at the brain surface and inner core of the choroid plexus. cPLA2 may not be directly linked to neurotransmission since enzyme expression, mRNA, and cPLA2 immunoreactivity were undetectable in neurons of murine brain. Support or regulation of neurotransmission may be provided through the activity of cPLA2 in glial cells.

Brain phospholipids and fatty acids in Friedreich's ataxia and spinocerebellar atrophy type-1

Previous studies of patients with spinocerebellar atrophy type 1 (SCA-1) and Friedreich's ataxia (FA) have suggested the occurrence of membrane disturbances in both disorders. We measured concentrations of phosphatidylcholine (PC), diacyl and plasmalogen phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylserine (PS), along with their fatty acid profiles, in the brains of eight patients with Friedreich's ataxia (FA) and nine patients with dominantly inherited spinocerebellar atrophy type 1 (SCA-1). Compared with the controls, levels of all phospholipid types (PE, PS, and PC) were reduced in the cerebellar but not occipital cortex of SCA-1 patients. In contrast, in the FA group, levels of PS and PE, but not PC, were reduced in both cerebellar and occipital cortices. The fatty acid composition of individual brain phospholipids was altered in both FA and SCA-1 patients, most markedly in the plasmalogen PE and PS classes of cerebellar phospholipids. Given the neuropathologic characteristics of each disorder, it is likely that altered fatty acid composition and phospholipid levels in SCA-1 cerebellar cortex occur as a consequence of pronounced cerebellar degeneration. In contrast, reduced phospholipid levels in FA cerebellar and occipital cortex, areas characterized by, at most, minimal neuronal loss in FA, may represent a widespread alteration in cellular phospholipid metabolism occurring in response to the specific gene defect in the disorder.

Low activity of key phospholipid catabolic and anabolic enzymes in human substantia nigra: possible implications for Parkinson's disease

To determine whether increased oxidative stress in substantia nigra of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease might be related to decreased ability of nigral cells to detoxify oxidized membrane phospholipids, we compared levels of the major phospholipid metabolizing enzymes in autopsied substantia nigra with those in non-nigral (n = 11) brain areas of the normal human brain. Whereas most enzymes possessed a relatively homogeneous distribution, the activity of the major phospholipid catabolizing enzyme phospholipase A2, assayed in the presence of calcium ions, varied amongst different regions, with substantia nigra possessing the lowest activity. Similarly, calcium-independent phospholipase A2 activity, although possessing a relatively homogeneous regional distribution, was also low in the substantia nigra. This, coupled with low activity of phosphoethanolamine- and phosphocholine-cytidylyltransferases, major regulatory enzymes of phospholipid synthesis, in this brain region, suggest that the rate of phospholipid turnover is low in the substantia nigra. Low activity of key phospholipid catabolic and anabolic enzymes in human substantia nigra might result in reduced ability to repair oxidative membrane damage, as may occur in Parkinson's disease.

Suppression of inflammatory responses by surfactin, a selective inhibitor of platelet cytosolic phospholipase A2

Surfactin inhibits platelet and spleen cytosolic 100 kDa phospholipase A2 (PLA2). In contrast, this same compound enhances rat platelet group II PLA2 activity by approximately 2-fold and slightly increases group I PLA2 activity from porcine pancreas and Naja naja venom in vitro. Surfactin does not affect a Ca2+ -independent PLA2 partially purified from bovine brain. Thus, this compound inhibits selectively the cytosolic form of PLA2. Based on in vitro studies utilizing preincubation of surfactin with the enzyme, dialysis, and increased concentrations of substrates, the inhibitory effect of surfactin appears to be due to a direct interaction with the enzyme. Linear regression analysis of the linear portion of a concentration-response curve reveals an IC50 of 8.5 microM. To further determine the inhibitory pattern, a Dixon plot was constructed to show that the inhibition by surfactin is competitive, but not uncompetitive, with an inhibition constant of Ki = 4.7 microM in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0, at 37 degrees. Surfactin blocked non-stimulated and calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated release of arachidonic acid from monkey kidney CV-1 cells, which contain a cytosolic 100 kDa PLA2 as the major activity, as shown in an anionic exchange DEAE-5PW high performance liquid chromatography profile and western blotting analysis. Surfactin ameliorated inflammation induced by several chemicals. That is, it exhibited in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in several tested inflammatory reactions including 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, and acetic acid-induced mouse writhing. These results demonstrate that surfactin is a selective inhibitor for cytosolic PLA2 and a putative anti-inflammatory agent through the inhibitory effect produced by direct interaction with cytosolic PLA2, and that inhibition of cytosolic PLA2 activity may suppress inflammatory responses.

Effect of chronic ethanol exposure on mouse brain arachidonic acid specific phospholipase A2

The enzyme phospholipase A2 (PLA2), which catalyzes the hydrolysis of an ester bond at the sn-2 position of 1,2-sn-diacylglycerols, has been suggested to play an important role in regulating cellular functions. Although ethanol (EtOH)-induced activation of PLA2 activity was reported previously by us in mouse brain (Hungund et al., Neurochem Int 25: 321-325, 1994), its subcellular localization and biochemical properties have not been investigated. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the subcellular localization and characterization of EtOH-activated PLA2 activity in mouse brain. The results indicated that EtOH treatment decreased the specific activity of PLA2 for the first 48 hr, and then the activity increased and reached a peak level in both cytosol (1.6-fold) and membrane (1.7-fold) fractions at 96 hr of exposure. Specific activity was found to be higher in the membrane fraction than in the cytosol. Using differential density gradient centrifugation, subcellular localization of the membrane-associated PLA2 revealed that most of the EtOH-activated PLA2 specific activity was associated with the synaptic membrane (44%) followed by the nuclear membrane (13%). No significant increase in the PLA2 specific activity of mitochondrial and microsomal membranes was observed. No activity was detected in the myelin membrane. PLA2 specific activity of membranes from control and EtOH-exposed mouse brain exhibited preference for arachidonic acid over linoleic acid at the sn-2 position of glycero-3-phosphocholine (PC). No detectable PLA2 specific activity was found when PC containing oleic acid at the sn-2 position was used as a substrate. The present results also indicated that the PLA2 specific activity of membrane from control and EtOH-exposed mouse brain was insensitive to dithiothreitol, strongly stimulated by Ca2+, enhanced by glycerol, and inhibited by the cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) inhibitor methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate with an IC50 value of 3.33 microM. In summary, results suggest that the properties of EtOH-activated PLA2 activity found in mouse brain membrane fraction are similar to those of cPLA2 found in variety of cells, including mammalian brain.

Reduced fertility and postischaemic brain injury in mice deficient in cytosolic phospholipase A2

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes are critical regulators of prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis and can directly modify the composition of cellular membranes. PLA2 enzymes release fatty acids and lysophospholipids, including the precursor of platelet-activating factor, PAF, from phospholipids. Free fatty acids, eicosanoids, lysophospholipids and PAF are potent regulators of inflammation, reproduction and neurotoxicity. The physiological roles of the various forms of PLA2 are not well defined. The cytosolic form, cPLA2, preferentially releases arachidonic acid from phospholipids and is regulated by changes in intracellular calcium concentration. We have now created 'knockout' (cPLA2-/-) mice that lack this enzyme, in order to evaluate its physiological importance. We find that cPLA2-/- mice develop normally, but that the females produce only small litters in which the pups are usually dead. Stimulated peritoneal macrophages from cPLA2-/- animals did not produce prostaglandin E2 or leukotriene B4 or C4. After transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, cPLA2-/- mice had smaller infarcts and developed less brain oedema and fewer neurological deficits. Thus cPLA2 is important for macrophage production of inflammatory mediators, fertility, and in the pathophysiology of neuronal death after transient focal cerebral ischaemia.

Cerebral cortical phospholipase A2 activity of senescence-accelerated mouse is increased in an age-dependent manner

The PLA2 activities of both the cytosolic and the membrane fractions from the cerebral cortex of 17-month old senescence-accelerated mouse-prone/10 (SAM-P/10) were significantly increased by 1.3 times compared with those of 2-month old mice. The PLA2 activities were independent of Ca2+ ion and not affected either by dithiothreitol (DTT) or by trifluoromethyl ketone analogs of arachidonic acid (AACOCF3). The PLA2 activities were eluted in a single peak of molecular mass of 170 kDa, using a gel filtration column. These findings suggest that the enhanced PLA2 activity may be related to neuronal degeneration and accelerated senescence of SAM-P/10, and cerebral cortical PLA2 activity categorized as a Ca2+-independent PLA2.

Roles of phospholipases A2 in brain cell and tissue injury associated with ischemia and excitotoxicity

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity is an important contributor to destructive cellular processes in the central nervous system. Two cytosolic forms of calcium dependent PLA2 have been characterized in the gerbil brain and the neuronal cultures from rat brain. PLA2 enzymatic activity in cell free extracts from cortical neuronal cultures is upregulated after cells are exposed to glutamate. Brief exposure to a calcium ionophore or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stably enhanced PLA2 activity. Stable activation of the two cytosolic forms of PLA2 occur prior to evidence of cell death and this activation is reversible. The larger molecular mass form was characterized as cPLA2. The smaller form (approximately 14 kDa) was distinct from Group I and II PLA2. Exposure to glutamate shifted the calcium activation curve of the smaller form to the left suggesting a novel mechanism of regulation of PLA2. Glutamate-induced stable enhancement of PLA2 activity, by processes involving calcium and protein kinase C activation, is a potential molecular switch likely mediating changes in synaptic function and contributing to excitotoxicity.

Purification of a novel phospholipase A2 from bovine seminal plasma

Phospholipases A2 are enzymes believed to play important roles in numerous physiological systems including sperm cell maturation. Relatively little work has, however, been devoted to study these enzymes in seminal plasma. We therefore undertook the purification and characterization of this enzyme from bovine seminal plasma. After a 330-fold purification, an activity corresponding to a protein of 100 kDa was identified by gel filtration. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the purified fraction revealed the presence of a 60-kDa band that comigrated with the activity during ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography as well as polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme possessed a pH optimum around pH 6.5 and was calcium-dependent. Using isoelectric focusing, its isoelectric point was determined to be 5.6 +/- 0.07. The enzymatic activity was resistant to p-bromophenacyl bromide, but was sensitive to gossypol and dithiothreitol. The enzyme was 2 orders of magnitude more active toward micelles formed with deoxycholate than with Triton X-100. Slight differences in the specificity toward head groups and/or sn-2-side chains were found in both assay systems. The enzyme was acid-labile and did not display affinity for heparin. It would therefore appear that the phospholipase A2 form isolated from bovine seminal plasma is of a novel type.

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.

Roles of phospholipases A2 in brain cell and tissue injury associated with ischemia and excitotoxicity

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity is an important contributor to destructive cellular processes in the central nervous system. Two cytosolic forms of calcium independent PLA2 have been characterized in the gerbil brain and the neuronal cultures from rat brain. PLA2 enzymatic activity in cell free extracts from cortical neuronal cultures is upregulated after cells are exposed to glutamate. Brief exposure to a calcium ionophore or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stably enhanced PLA2 activity. Stable activation of the two cytosolic forms of PLA2 occur prior to evidence of cell death and this activation is reversible. The larger molecular mass form was characterized as cPLA2. The smaller form (approximately 14 kDa) was distinct from Group I and II PLA2. Exposure to glutamate shifted the calcium activation curve of the smaller form to the left suggesting a novel mechanism of regulation of PLA2. Glutamate-induced stable enhancement of PLA2 activity, by processes involving calcium and protein kinase C activation, is a potential molecular switch likely mediating changes in synaptic function and contribution to excitotoxicity.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and lipid mediator release in the brain

The Ca(2+)-sensitive 85 kDa cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) is a receptor-regulated enzyme that may initiate the cascade of events leading to the production of free fatty acids and lysophospholipids for subsequent conversion to eicosanoids and PAF. At least two early events are necessary for full activation of cPLA2: (1) increased concentration of cytosolic free Ca2+ promoting association of cPLA2 with its membrane phospholipid substrate and (2) phosphorylation by stimulated proline-directed kinases converting cPLA2 into an enzyme of enhanced catalytic efficiency. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 and TNF may induce de novo synthesis of cPLA2 thus further potentiating the mobilization of arachidonic acid and subsequent production of eicosanoids and PAF. Increased levels of fatty acids and PLA2-derived products, including eicosanoids and PAF are amongst the hallmarks of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion, and thought to mediate pathophysiological alterations and cellular processes which may lead to cell injury and death. There is substantial evidence to indicate that cPLA2 is present in the brain and appears most abundant in astrocytes. Therefore, cPLA2 may be an important component in the cascade of events leading to acute and delayed destructive cellular processes in the brain and accordingly represents an attractive target for the development of novel therapies to prevent brain damage triggered by ischemic and inflammatory insults.