Regulation of lipase activities in rat brain in vitro

4-Methylumbelliferyl lipase in human and mouse brain: a possible localization in myelin

4-Methylumbelliferyl (4-MU) lipase activity in human and mouse brain, measured with 4-MU palmitate, was characterized with respect to effects of pH and detergents, and subcellular and myelin localization. Purified myelin isolated by Norton's procedure [J. Neurochem. 21, 749-757 (1983)] contained higher specific activity of 4-MU lipase, particularly in alkaline pH. Myelin lipase activity was markedly affected by the addition of different types of detergents, the amount of detergents added, and substrate. The optimal pH in myelin was bimodal--pH 4.5 and up to 8.0, respectively. These data indicate that myelin possesses 4-MU lipase activity at alkaline pH, with lower levels at acidic pH.

Monoacylglycerol lipase. Regulation and increased activity during hypoxia and ischemia

The presence of monoacylglycerol lipase was established in extracts of acetone-dried powders from rat and bovine brains using thioester substrate analogs. At pH 7.4, the apparent Km and Vmax values for 1-S-decanoyl-1-mercapto-2,3-propanediol were 56 microM and 227 nmol/h/mg protein in bovine gray matter. The divalent metal ions Ca2+ and Mg2+ had no effect on enzymic activity, but Zn2+ at 500 microM produced a 50% inhibition of this enzyme. Free fatty acids also caused a marked inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase activity. Norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine slightly stimulated the enzymic activity. Hypoxic-hypoxia and 30-s postdecapitation ischemia resulted in a considerable increase in monoacylglycerol lipase activity of rat brain. However, the increased activity of monoacylglycerol lipase returned to normal after 5 min of ischemia. The increased activity of monoacylglycerol lipase during hypoxic-hypoxia and short-time ischemia may be partially responsible for increased levels of free fatty acids during these processes.

Incorporation of [1-14C[palmitic acid into neutral lipids and phospholipids of rat cerebral cortex in vitro

Incorporation of [1-14C]palmitic acid into neutral lipids and phospholipids of rat cerebral cortex was examined in vitro in normal Krebs--Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing 3% (wt/vol) albumin and 0.75 mM palmitic acid. Under standard assay conditions, radioactivity in the triacylglycerol fraction increased rapidly during the first 30 min, and then decreased after 60 min, with corresponding increase in radioactivity in phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and a fraction of phosphatidyl inositol plus phosphatidyl serine. Diacylglycerol was shown to be an intermediate metabolite. Radioactivity increased in triacylglycerol, and decreased in phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine throughout incubation under N2 gas. In the fraction of phosphatidyl inositol plus phosphatidyl serine, radioactivity decreased after 30 min during incubation under N2 gas. A possible acylation--deacylation cycle, in which triacylglycerol could be a source of free fatty acids for phospholipids, is discussed.