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PubMed1998

Ectopic epididymal expression of guinea pig intestinal phospholipase B. Possible role in sperm maturation and activation by limited proteolytic digestion.

Guinea pig intestinal phospholipase B is a calcium-independent phospholipase hydrolyzing sequentially the acyl ester bonds at sn-2 and sn-1 positions of glycerophospholipids, promoting the formation of sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine from phosphatidylcholine. This 140-kDa glycoprotein from the brush border membrane of differentiated enterocytes contributes to lipid digestion as an ectoenzyme. The cDNA coding for guinea pig phospholipase B was revealed to be the homologue of AdRab-B, an mRNA appearing in rabbit upon intestine development. The sequence predicts a polypeptide of 1463 amino acids displaying four homologous repeats, two of them containing the lipase consensus sequence GXSXG. A 5-kilobase transcript was particularly abundant in mature ileal and jejunal enterocytes but was also detected in epididymis, where phospholipase B displayed a higher molecular mass (170 kDa versus 140 kDa in intestine), with no obvious evidence for enzyme activity. Trypsin treatment of phospholipase B immunoprecipitated from epididymal membranes reduced its size to 140 kDa, coinciding with the appearance of a significant phospholipase A2 activity. The same results were obtained in COS cells transfected with phospholipase B cDNA. Since sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine present at high concentrations in seminal plasma mainly stems from epididymis, this suggests a possible role of phospholipase B in male reproduction. This novel localization also unravels a mechanism of phospholipase B activation by limited proteolysis involving either trypsin in the intestinal lumen or a trypsin-like endopeptidase in the male reproductive tract.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1988

The solubilization of tetrameric alkaline phosphatase from human liver and its conversion into various forms by phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C or proteolysis.

When membrane-bound human liver alkaline phosphatase was treated with a phosphatidylinositol (PI) phospholipase C obtained from Bacillus cereus, or with the proteases ficin and bromelain, the enzyme released was dimeric. Butanol extraction of the plasma membranes at pH 7.6 yielded a water-soluble, aggregated form that PI phospholipase C could also convert to dimers. When the membrane-bound enzyme was solubilized with a non-ionic detergent (Nonidet P-40), it had the Mr of a tetramer; this, too, was convertible to dimers with PI phospholipase C or a protease. Butanol extraction of whole liver tissue at pH 6.6 and subsequent purification yielded a dimeric enzyme on electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions, whereas butanol extraction at pH values of 7.6 or above and subsequent purification by immunoaffinity chromatography yielded an enzyme with a native Mr twice that of the dimeric form. This high molecular weight form showed a single Coomassie-stained band (Mr = 83,000) on electrophoresis under denaturing conditions in sodium dodecyl sulfate, as did its PI phospholipase C cleaved product; this Mr was the same as that obtained with the enzyme purified from whole liver using butanol extraction at pH 6.6. These results are highly suggestive of the presence of a butanol-activated endogenous enzyme activity (possibly a phospholipase) that is optimally active at an acidic pH. Inhibition of this activity by maintaining an alkaline pH during extraction and purification results in a tetrameric enzyme. Alkaline phosphatase, whether released by phosphatidylinositol (PI) phospholipase C or protease treatment of intact plasma membranes, or purified in a dimeric form, would not adsorb to a hydrophobic medium. PI phospholipase C treatment of alkaline phosphatase solubilized from plasma membranes by either detergent or butanol at pH 7.6 yielded a dimeric enzyme that did not absorb to the hydrophobic medium, whereas the untreated preparations did. This adsorbed activity was readily released by detergent. Likewise, alkaline phosphatase solubilized from plasma membranes by butanol extraction at pH 7.6 would incorporate into phosphatidylcholine liposomes, whereas the enzyme released from the membranes by PI phospholipase C would not incorporate. The dimeric enzyme purified from a butanol extract of whole liver tissue carried out at pH 6.6 did not incorporate. We conclude that PI phospholipase C converts a hydrophobic tetramer of alkaline phosphatase into hydrophilic dimers through removal of the 1,2-diacylglycerol moiety of phosphatidylinositol. Based on these and others' findings, we devised a model of alkaline phosphatase's conversion into its various forms.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1986

Effect of phospholipases on chronic opiate action in neuroblastoma X glioma NG108-15 hybrid cells.

Chronic treatment of neuroblastoma X glioma NG108-15 hybrid cells with opiate agonist resulted in loss of the acute opiate inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity with a concomitant increase in the enzymatic activity observable on addition of the antagonist naloxone. The role of membrane lipids in the cellular expression of these chronic opiate effects was investigated by the hydrolysis of phospholipids with various lipases. Treatment with phospholipase C from Clostridium welchii produced an enzyme concentration-dependent decrease of prostaglandin E1-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in control or etorphine-treated (1 microM for 4 h) hybrid cells. In addition, incubation of hybrid cells with phospholipase C concentrations of greater than or equal to 0.5 U/ml completely abolished the compensatory increase in adenylate cyclase activity after chronic opiate treatment. This attenuation of the increase in adenylate cyclase activity by phospholipase C could be prevented by inclusion of phosphatidylcholine but not of phosphatidic acid during the enzymatic incubations. The specificity of the phospholipids involved in expression of the chronic opiate effect could be demonstrated further by the absence of effect exhibited by phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus and phospholipase D. Hydrolysis of the acyl side chains of phospholipids with phospholipase A2 did not alter the chronic opiate effect after removal of lysophosphatides with bovine serum albumin. Because the guanylylimidodiphosphate- and NaF-sensitive adenylate cyclase activities were not affected by these phospholipase treatments, the expression of the compensatory increase in adenylate cyclase activity is mediated via an increase in the coupling between hormonal receptor and adenylate cyclase with the participation of the polar head groups of the phospholipids and not the hydrophobic side chains.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

PubMed1993

The 85-kDa, arachidonic acid-specific phospholipase A2 is expressed as an activated phosphoprotein in Sf9 cells.

A human, 85-kDa arachidonoyl-specific, cytosolic phospholipase A2 was expressed using the baculovirus-insect cell expression system. Expression resulted in the production of an active protein which consisted of approximately 3% of the total protein in the host Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells at 67 h after infection. The phospholipase A2 was purified to apparent homogeneity and exhibited calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 activity with a specific activity of 8 mumol/min/mg protein, as well as calcium-independent lysophospholipase activity with a specific activity of 17 mumol/min/mg protein. The phospholipase A2 was expressed as a phosphoprotein and was primarily phosphorylated on serine residues. Phosphatase treatment of the recombinant phospholipase A2 resulted in dephosphorylation of the enzyme and a 63% decrease in phospholipase A2 activity. This decrease in activity is similar in magnitude to the decrease in activity observed with phosphatase-treated phospholipase A2 from stimulated mammalian cells. These data demonstrate that the 85-kDa phospholipase A2 is expressed as an activated phosphoprotein in Sf9 cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

An examination of structural interactions presumed to be of importance in the stabilization of phospholipase A2 dimers based upon comparative protein sequence analysis of a monomeric and dimeric enzyme from the venom of Agkistrodon p. piscivorus.

Phospholipases A2 may exist in solution both as monomers and dimers, but enzymes that form strong dimers (KD approximately 10(-9) M) have been found, thus far, only in venoms of the snake family Crotilidae. The complete amino acid sequences of a basic monomeric and an acidic dimeric phospholipase A2 from Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus (American cottonmouth water moccasin) venom have been determined by protein sequencing methods as part of a search for aspects of structure contributing to formation of stable dimers. Both the monomeric and dimeric phospholipases A2 are highly homologous to the dimeric phospholipases A2 from Crotalus atrox and Crotalus adamanteus venoms, and both have the seven residue carboxy-terminal extension characteristic of the crotalid and viperid enzymes. Thus, it is clear that the extension is not a prerequisite for dimerization. Studies to date have revealed two characteristic features of phospholipases A2 that exist in solution as strong dimers. One is the presence in the dimers of a Pro-Pro sequence at position 112 and 113 which just precedes the seven residue carboxy-terminal extension (residues 116-122). The other is a low isoelectric point; only the acidic phospholipases A2 have been observed, thus far, to form stable dimers. These, alone or together, may be necessary, though not sufficient conditions for phospholipase A2 dimer formation. Ideas regarding subunit interactions based upon crystallographic data are evaluated relative to the new sequence information on the monomeric and dimeric phospholipases A2 from A.p. piscivorus venom.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Astroglial membrane structure is affected by agents that raise cyclic AMP and by phosphatidylcholine phospholipase C.

The role of signal transduction mechanisms in the production of the characteristic orthogonal arrays of particle assemblies in the astroglial plasma membrane was investigated in vitro by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Agents which raise cellular cAMP levels and subsequently activate protein kinase A, such as forskolin (50 microM), isoproterenol (10 microM) and 8-bromo-cAMP (1 mM), increased the density, the number of assemblies per unit area of cleaved cell membrane, and the frequency of astrocytes with assemblies. Agents that lead to the activation of protein kinase C, such as phorbol 12,13-myristate acetate (at 50 nM) and choline-dependent phospholipase C (at 0.01-0.1 U ml-1), did not affect the assembly concentration. Thus, protein kinase A but not protein kinase C appears to be involved in the production of assemblies or their insertion into the astroglial plasma membrane. Although choline-dependent phospholipase C did not affect the astroglial assemblies, it caused the non-assembly, background particles to aggregate. A choline-dependent phospholipase C from a different source (B. cereus) was also active though at a higher concentration. Phospholipases of different specificities, such as phospholipase A2, phospholipase D or inositol-dependent phospholipase C were inactive over a wide range of concentrations. Two other astroglia derived cells, Müller cells and cells of the C6 glioma cell line, were also similarly affected by choline-dependent phospholipase C, while six other cells types including neurons, endothelial cells and fibroblasts were unaffected. It appears that phosphatidylcholine plays a significant role in determining the membrane structure of astrocytes. In a search for a means of isolating the assemblies, the binding of three lectins: ConA, WGA and PNA, conjugated to gold, was tested by label-fracture to ascertain whether the assemblies have an external oligosaccharide component. None of the lectins bound specifically to assemblies.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

PubMed1990

The role of ascites and phospholipase A2 on peritoneal permeability changes in acute experimental pancreatitis.

Peritoneal permeability to fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated (FITC) dextran, mol wt 10,000 was studied in acute experimental pancreatitis (AEP) in rats. The aim of the study was to elucidate the role of the pancreatitis ascites and its phospholipase A2 activity on the observed peritoneal permeability increase during AEP. Phospholipase A2 activity of ascites was 40 U/microL 1 h after the induction of AEP and decreased during the next 3 h gradually to a plateau of about 20 U/microL, where it remained to the end of the experiment at 24 h. A similar pattern was seen for protein, amylase, and lipase although the initial peak was most pronounced for lipase. Pancreatitis ascites did not--irrespective of its age (1 or 20 h) or incubation time (3-20 h)--affect the peritoneal transport of FITC dextran 10,000 in healthy rats. Similarly, intravenously-administered ascites and intraperitoneal instillation of pancreatic phospholipase A2 dissolved in saline were without effects. On the other hand, in another group of healthy animals, phospholipase dissolved in fresh pancreatitis ascites caused a statistically significant increase of peritoneal transport, as defined. In rats with pancreatitis, the addition of phospholipase A2 to the peritoneal fluid increased peritoneal transport of FITC dextran 10,000 as well as phospholipase A2 itself. We conclude that phospholipase A2 when instilled into the peritoneal cavity in the presence of pancreatitis ascites, has the ability to increase peritoneal permeability to FITC dextran 10,000 in healthy, as well as in pancreatitis rats. However, the phospholipase A2 activity of rat pancreatitis ascites is not sufficient for this mechanism to work. This, however, does not exclude its existence in other species, including humans.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1990

Subcellular distribution of fatty acids, phospholipids and phospholipase A2 in human neutrophils.

We have examined the putative relationship between the presence of neutral pH optimum phospholipase A2 activities and the phospholipid and fatty acid composition in the distinct fractions obtained after subcellular fractionation in a continuous sucrose gradient of human neutrophils. Neutral phospholipase A2 activity was found mainly in the plasma membrane, the azurophilic granules and an unidentified fraction which was a little denser than that containing specific granules and endoplasmic reticulum. These differently located phospholipase A2 activities resulted in activation upon calcium ionophore A23187-cell treatment, but the phospholipase A2 activity found in the unidentified region showed the highest degree of activation after cell treatment with A23187 and hydrolyzed preferentially ethanolamine-containing glycerophospholipids. The subcellular distribution of inositol-containing phosphoglycerides was bimodal, with a main peak at the plasma membrane and another peak at the azurophilic granule region. Choline- and ethanolamine-containing glycerophospholipids showed a broad distribution throughout the gradient, with preponderance in the denser part of the gradient, where the intracellular organelle phospholipase A2 activities were located. Interestingly, ethanolamine-containing glycerophospholipids were shown to be enriched in fractions containing the phospholipase A2 which hydrolyzes preferentially this phospholipid class. Most of the arachidonic acid present in the postnuclear fraction of human neutrophils was found in the plasma membrane and resulted to be the only fatty acid released during A23187 stimulation. Thus, plasma membrane phospholipase A2 seems to be involved mainly in the release of arachidonic acid in A23187-stimulated cells. These findings indicate that differences in substrate specificity found in vitro among the phospholipase A2 activities located in distinct subcellular particulates might be a reflection of the distinct phospholipid and fatty acid composition in these particulates.

Arachidonic Acid↗

PubMed1994

Exogenous group II phospholipase A2 induces prostaglandin E2 production in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Cultures of mouse peritoneal resident macrophages produced prostaglandin E2 when exposed to extracellular group II phospholipase A2. The response to group II phospholipase A2 was concentration dependent, and prostaglandin E2 production in response to 1 microgram/ml purified group II enzyme was comparable to the maximal response elicited by lipopolysaccharide. Group II phospholipase A2 required millimolar concentrations of extracellular Ca2+ for the induction of prostaglandin E2 production, as well as for phospholipase A2 activity. YM-26734 (4-(3,5-didodecanoyl-2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyph eny l) chroman), a selective inhibitor of group II phospholipase A2, inhibited not only the enzyme activity but also the prostaglandin E2 production-inducing activity of group II phospholipase A2 in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings suggest that group II phospholipase A2 released into the extracellular space may induce prostaglandin E2 production through hydrolysis of plasma membrane phospholipids. Taken together with the previous finding that YM-26734 suppressed inflammatory responses in vivo, these results suggest that group II phospholipase A2 may play a role in the excitation and/or progression of inflammatory processes through the production of eicosanoids.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Group II phospholipase A2 induced by interleukin-1 beta in cultured rat gingival fibroblasts.

Previously, we reported the presence of group II-like phospholipase A2 activity in the soluble fraction of rat gingiva. In the present study, we found that treatment of rat gingival cells with human recombinant interleukin-1 beta resulted in dose-dependent stimulation of intracellular and extracellular phospholipase A2 activity. Antisera against group II phospholipase A2 totally blocked the interleukin-1 beta-induced phospholipase A2 activity, but antisera against group I phospholipase A2 did not. Moreover, immunoblot analysis showed that the induced phospholipase A2 was group II phospholipase A2. These findings suggest that the induced enzyme belongs to the group II phospholipase A2 family of proinflammatory enzymes.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Long-term potentiation requires activation of calcium-independent phospholipase A2.

The predominant phospholipase activity present in rat hippocampus is a calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (302.9 +/- 19.8 pmol/mg.min for calcium-independent phospholipase A2 activity vs. 14.6 +/- 1.0 pmol/mg.min for calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 activity). This calcium-independent phospholipase A2 is exquisitely sensitive to inhibition by the mechanism-based inhibitor, (E)-6-(bromomethylene)-tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-pyran -2-one (BEL). Moreover, treatment of hippocampal slices with BEL prior to tetanic stimulation prevents the induction of LTP (40.8 +/- 5.6% increase in excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP) slope for control slices (n = 6) vs. 5.8 +/- 8.5% increase in EPSP slope for BEL-treated slices (n = 8)). Importantly, LTP can be induced following mechanism-based inhibition of phospholipase A2 by providing the end product of the phospholipase A2 reaction, arachidonic acid, during the application of tetanic stimulation. Furthermore, the induction of LTP after treatment with BEL is dependent on the stereoelectronic configuration of the fatty acid provided since eicosa-5,8,11-trienoic acid, but not eicosa-8,11,14-trienoic acid, rescues LTP after BEL treatment (37.6 +/- 16.1% increase in EPSP slope for eicosa-5,8,11-trienoic acid vs. -3.7 +/- 5.2% increase in EPSP slope for eicosa-8,11,14-trienoic acid). Collectively, these results provide the first demonstration of the essential role of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in synaptic plasticity.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

In vivo interactions between neurotoxin, cardiotoxin and phospholipases A2 isolated from Malayan cobra (Naja naja sputatrix) venom.

The in vivo interactions between alpha-neurotoxin, cardiotoxin and two phospholipases A2 (sputa-phospholipase A2-1 and 3) isolated from Malayan cobra venom were assessed by examining the effects of simultaneous injection of sub-LD50 dose of one toxin on (i) i.v. LD50 S of the other toxins in mice; and (ii) mean survival times of mice injected with lethal doses of the other toxins. While LD50 measurements did not reveal any interaction between the toxins in vivo, survival time measurements suggest a synergy between the neurotoxin and sputa-phospholipase A2-1 and between sputa-phospholipase A2-1 and sputa-phospholipase A2-3. Our results also suggest that both sputa-phospholipases A2 interfere with the lethal action of the cardiotoxin, resulting in prolongation of the mean survival time of mice injected with a lethal dose of cardiotoxin. The patterns of in vivo interactions between phospholipase A2 and other venom toxins appear to depend on the nature and mode of pharmacological action of the phospholipase A2.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Human monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies recognize predominantly discontinuous epitopes on bee venom phospholipase A2.

BACKGROUND: Two hybridomas, which secrete human monoclonal antibodies of IgG4 isotype specific for the main bee venom antigen/allergen phospholipase A2, were generated. The antigenic determinants recognized by these antibodies were mapped and compared with the binding sites of murine monoclonal and human polyclonal antibodies raised against the same antigen. METHODS: Two hybridomas were developed by fusing heteromyelomas to Epstein-Barr virus immortalized B cells obtained from beekeepers. The cloned hybridomas were stable and secreted up to 40 mg/L of antibody into the culture supernatant. Phospholipase A2 specificity of the human monoclonal antibodies was confirmed by binding and inhibition ELISA and by Western blot analysis. Epitope mapping on phospholipase A2 was done with the PEPSCAN method and ELISA techniques. RESULTS: The epitopes recognized by the human monoclonal antibodies were shown to be discontinuous and did not contain the sugar residue. Similar results were obtained with polyclonal antibodies of IgG4 isotype (from beekeepers) specific for phospholipase A2, which could also inhibit the binding of the human monoclonal antibodies to phospholipase A2. In contrast, antigen binding of the human monoclonal antibodies could not be inhibited by murine monoclonal antibodies against bee venom phospholipase A2. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that the human monoclonal antibodies obtained are representative of a part of the polyclonal immune response to phospholipase A2 from beekeepers and may allow a more precise analysis of the humoral immune response to phospholipase A2 that is associated with protection.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical localization of phospholipase A2 isoforms in human myometrium during pregnancy and parturition.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to localize secretory phospholipase A2 and cytosolic phospholipase A2 isoforms in pregnant human myometrium and to determine changes in expression with gestational age or parturition. STUDY DESIGN: Myometrium was collected at cesarean section at term (>37 weeks) or preterm (<37 weeks) from patients who were or were not in labor (n = 5 each group). Frozen sections were incubated with specific monoclonal antibodies against secretory phospholipase A2 or cytosolic phospholipase A2 and immunostaining visualized with the Vectastain ABC method. The intensity of immunostaining in different cellular localizations was scored by an investigator blinded to tissue identity and compared among tissues with use of the Mantel-Haenszel chi2 test. RESULTS: Secretory phospholipase A2 immunostaining was dispersed in the perinuclear region throughout the myometrial smooth muscle fibers and in vascular smooth muscle. Cytosolic phospholipase A2 immunostaining was predominantly localized to endothelial cells of myometrial blood vessels and weakly throughout myometrial fibers. There was no apparent change in intensity of immunostaining for either isoform with gestational age or with the absence or presence of labor. CONCLUSION: The differential localization of the two phospholipase A2 isoforms suggests different functions. The apparent lack of change in expression during late gestation or with labor possibly suggests changes in myometrial phospholipase A2 activity and hence local myometrial arachidonic acid mobilization and presumably prostaglandin synthesis may not be associated with the onset of or maintenance of parturition.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mechanism of action of beta-bungarotoxin, a presynaptically acting phospholipase A2 neurotoxin: its effect on protein phosphorylation in rat brain synaptosomes.

The snake venom phospholipase A2 neurotoxin, beta-bungarotoxin, acts presynaptically to alter acetylcholine release in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. In investigating the mechanism of this action, we found that beta-bungarotoxin inhibited phosphorylation of synapsin I, GAP-43 and MARCKS in rat brain synaptosomes. This inhibition was not due to the inhibition of ATP synthesis, action of arachidonic acid metabolites, or stimulation of phosphatase activities. Furthermore, the activities of Ca2+/calmodulin-kinase II, cAMP-kinase and protein kinase C were not altered by beta-bungarotoxin in either synaptic plasma membranes or cytosol. When synaptic plasma membranes were treated with beta-bungarotoxin, MARCKS phosphorylation was inhibited, and this inhibition was overcome by the addition of exogenous protein kinase C. These results suggest that the interaction between MARCKS and endogenous protein kinase C is altered by beta-bungarotoxin. In contrast, Naja naja atra phospholipase A2, a typical phospholipase A2 enzyme, had effects on phosphorylation which were different from those of beta-bungarotoxin: (1) inhibition of phosphorylation of synapsin I in intact synaptosomes was less potent than that by beta-bungarotoxin; (2) it stimulated basal phosphorylation of GAP-43 and MARCKS; and (3) it increased the activity of protein kinase C. The inhibition of synapsin I phosphorylation by N. n. atra phospholipase A2 in intact synaptosomes may be due to the inhibition of ATP synthesis. The stimulation of GAP-43 and MARCKS by N. n. atra phospholipase A2 can be explained by the production of arachidonic acid, which stimulated protein kinase C activity to a similar extent as that caused by N. n. atra phospholipase A2. Thus, the mechanism of action of beta-bungarotoxin appears to be quite different from that of a phospholipase A2 enzyme, suggesting that phospholipase A2 activity of beta-bungarotoxin may not be essential for its action. beta-Bungarotoxin may be a useful tool to study the physiological role of phosphorylation of synaptosomal proteins in neurotransmitter release.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

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.

Acetophenones↗

PubMed1999

Localization of cytosolic phospholipase A2 messenger RNA mainly in neurons in the rat brain.

Ca2(+)-sensitive 85,000 mol. wt cytosolic phospholipase A2 plays an essential role in the selective and stimulus-dependent release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids. Cytosolic phospholipase A2-catalysed lipid mediators including arachidonic acid and its metabolites have been suggested to be involved in a variety of neuronal functions in the CNS. Since the cellular localization of cytosolic phospholipase A2 is still controversial and obscure, we tried an improved method of rapid processing of each specimens and succeeded in obtaining intense signals of cytosolic phospholipase A2 messenger RNA in the normal rat brain by northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. Northern blot analysis showed the abundant distribution of cytosolic phospholipase A2 messenger RNA in most regions of the brain, with intense signals observed in the pineal gland and pons. Macroautoradiographs prepared after in situ hybridization with three different antisense riboprobes gave essentially similar patterns of localization; significant signals were widely detected in the gray matter of various regions, i.e. the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, several thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei and cerebellum. Microautoradiographs showed that most of the intense signals were predominant in neurons, and that faint signals were from glial cells and other non-neuronal cells in the choroid plexus, inner surface cells of veins and the leptomeninges. In addition, the cycloheximide treatment increased the cytosolic phospholipase A2 messenger RNA level in the same cell populations originally possessing messenger RNA signals. Predominant expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 messenger RNA in neurons may provide the basis for the contribution of cytosolic phospholipase A2-catalysed lipid mediators to a variety of neurotransmission and synaptic functions in the CNS.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Transient activation of calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 by insulin secretagogues in isolated pancreatic islets.

Arachidonic acid is believed to be an important and necessary mediator of insulin secretion by beta-cells of islets of Langerhans, and it may regulate intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Insulin secretagogues, such as glucose and the muscarinic agonist carbachol, stimulate arachidonic acid accumulation, although the mechanisms involved are controversial: carbachol is believed to stimulate phospholipase A2, while glucose-induced arachidonic acid release is the result of diacylglycerol hydrolysis [Konrad, R. J., et al. (1992) Biochem. J. 287, 283-290]. In insulin-secreting clonal beta-cells RINm5F, HIT-T15, and beta-TC3, Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A2 was mainly cytosolic, while in islets it was equally distributed between a crude membrane fraction and the cytosol. A membrane-associated Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipase A2 was found to be stimulated by millimolar Ca2+ concentrations, while a cytosolic Ca(2+)-dependent activity was activated by micromolar Ca2+ levels. In order to determine whether phospholipase A2 was activated in insulin secretion, we assessed whether pretreatment of intact islets with secretagogues affected phospholipase A2 activity, which was subsequently measured in membrane or cytosolic fractions. The combination of glucose and carbachol transiently activated Ca(2+)-dependent (but not Ca(2+)-independent) phospholipase A2 activity at 10 min, which corresponded to the peak of arachidonic acid release. No effect was seen with either agonist alone. Our results indicate that activation of Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipase A2 may be due to agonist-induced increases in intracellular Ca2+. We suggest that activation of islet Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipase A2 may be important in a distal process of insulin secretion, such as secretory granule exocytosis.

Animals↗