Toxoplasma gondii secretes a calcium-independent phospholipase A(2)

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) play an important role in Toxoplasma gondii host cell penetration. They are also key enzymes in the host cell response to the parasite invasion. PLA(2) hydrolyse cellular phospholipids, releasing multiple inflammatory lipidic mediators. We have investigated the biochemical characterisation of T. gondii PLA(2) activity in a mouse-cultured tachyzoite homogenate and in the peritoneal exudate from infected mice, using the hydrolysis of a fluorescent phosphatidylglycerol labelled at the sn-2 position. Spectrofluorimetry and thin-layer chromatography showed a PLA(2) activity (about 0.5-2 nmol/min per mg), calcium-independent, secreted into infected mice peritoneal exudate, with a broad pH activity ranging between 6.5 and 9.5 and resistant to a great number of potential PLA(2) inhibitors except dithio-nitrobenzoic acid (1 mM). An associated phospholipase A(1) activity was also displayed. These results suggest that Toxoplasma gondii displays specific phospholipases different from host enzymes and probably involved at critical steps of infectious cycle.     

Naegleria fowleri amoebae express a membrane-associated calcium-independent phospholipase A(2)

Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba, is the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Previous reports have demonstrated that N. fowleri expresses one or more forms of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and that a secreted form of this enzyme is involved in pathogenesis. However, the molecular nature of these phospholipases remains largely unknown. This study was initiated to determine whether N. fowleri expresses analogs of the well-characterized PLA(2)s that are expressed by mammalian macrophages. Amoeba cell homogenates contain a PLA(2) activity that hydrolyzes the substrate that is preferred by the 85 kDa calcium-dependent cytosolic PLA(2), cPLA(2). However, unlike the cPLA(2) enzyme in macrophages, this activity is largely calcium-independent, is constitutively associated with membranes and shows only a modest preference for phospholipids that contain arachidonate. The amoeba PLA(2) activity is sensitive to inhibitors that block the activities of cPLA(2)-alpha and the 80 kDa calcium-independent PLA(2), iPLA(2), that are expressed by mammalian cells. One of these compounds, methylarachidonyl fluorophosphonate, partially inhibits the constitutive release of [(3)H]arachidonic acid from pre-labeled amoebae. Together, these data suggest that N. fowleri expresses a constitutively active calcium-independent PLA(2) that may play a role in the basal phospholipid metabolism of these cells.     

The genomic organization, complete mRNA sequence, cloning, and expression of a novel human intracellular membrane-associated calcium-independent phospholipase A(2)

During the sequencing of the long arm of chromosome 7 in the Human Genome Project, a predicted protein product of 40 kDa was identified, which contained two approximately 10-amino acid segments homologous to the ATP and lipase consensus sequences present in the founding members of a family of calcium-independent phospholipases A(2). Detailed inspection of the identified sequence (residues 79, 671-109,912 GenBank accession no. AC005058) demonstrated that it represented only a partial sequence of a larger undefined polypeptide product. Accordingly, we identified the complete genomic organization of this putative phospholipase A(2) through analyses of previously published expressed sequence tags, PCR of human heart cDNA, and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Polymerase chain reaction and Northern blotting demonstrated a 3.4-kilobase message, which encoded a polypeptide with a maximum calculated molecular weight of 88476.9. This 3.4-kilobase message was present in multiple human parenchymal tissues including heart, skeletal muscle, placenta, brain, liver, and pancreas. Cloning and expression of the protein encoded by this message in Sf9 cells resulted in the production of two proteins of apparent molecular masses of 77 and 63 kDa as assessed by Western analyses utilizing immunoaffinity-purified antibody. Membranes from Sf9 cells expressing recombinant protein released fatty acid from sn-2-radiolabeled phosphatidylcholine and plasmenylcholine up to 10-fold more rapidly than controls. The initial rate of fatty acid release from the membrane fraction was 0. 3 nmol/mg.min. The recombinant protein was entirely calcium-independent, had a pH optimum of 8.0, was inhibited by (E)-6-(bromomethylene)-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-tetrahydropyran-2-one (IC(50) = 3 microM), and was predominantly present in the membrane-associated fraction. Collectively, these results describe the genomic organization, complete mRNA sequence, and sn-2-lipase activity of a novel intracellular calcium-independent membrane-associated phospholipase A(2).     

A novel calcium-independent peripheral membrane-bound form of annexin B12

Annexins are soluble proteins that can interact with membranes in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Recent studies have shown that they can also undergo Ca2+-independent membrane interactions that are modulated by pH and phospholipid composition. Here, we investigated the structural changes that occurred during Ca2+-independent interaction of annexin B12 with phospholipid vesicles as a function of pH. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis of a helical hairpin encompassing the D and E helices in the second repeat of the protein showed that this region refolded and formed a continuous amphipathic alpha helix following Ca2+-independent binding to membranes at mildly acidic pH. At pH 4.0, this helix assumed a transmembrane topography, but at pH approximately 5.0-5.5, it was peripheral and approximately parallel to the membrane. The peripheral form was reversibly converted into the transmembrane form by lowering the pH and vice versa. Furthermore, analysis of vesicles incubated with annexin B12 using freeze-fracture electron microscopy methods showed classical intramembrane particles at pH 4.0 but none at pH 5.3. Together, these data raise the possibility that the peripheral-bound form of annexin B12 could act as a kinetic intermediate in the formation of the transmembrane form of the protein.     

Catalytic residues of group VIB calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2gamma)

Although human group VIB calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)gamma) contains the lipase-consensus sequence Gly-Xaa-Ser-Xaa-Gly in the C-terminal half, its overall sequence exhibits a week similarity to those of other PLA(2)s, and thus no information on the catalytic site has been available. Here we show that the C-terminal region of human iPLA(2)gamma is responsible for the enzymatic activity. Comparison of this catalytic domain with those of the mouse homologue, human cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)), and the plant PLA(2) patatin reveals that an amino acid sequence of a short segment around Asp-627 of iPLA(2)gamma is conserved among these PLA(2)s, in addition to the Ser-483-containing lipase motif; the corresponding serine and aspartate in cPLA(2) and patatin are known to form a catalytic dyad. Since substitution of alanine for either Ser-483 or Asp-627 results in a loss of the PLA(2) activity, we propose that Ser-483 and Asp-627 of human iPLA(2)gamma constitute an active site similar to the Ser-Asp dyad in cPLA(2) and patatin.     

Human calcium-independent phospholipase A2 mediates lymphocyte proliferation

Activation of lymphocytes induces blastogenesis and cell division which is accompanied by membrane lipid metabolism such as increased fatty acid turnover. To date little is known about the enzymatic mechanism(s) regulating this process. Release of fatty acids such as arachidonic acid requires sn-2-deacylation catalyzed by a class of enzymes known as phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2), EC ). Herein, we confirm that human peripheral blood B or T lymphocytes (PBL) do not possess measurable levels of 85-kDa PLA(2) as assessed by Western immunoblot. Low levels of 14-kDa PLA(2) protein and activity were detectable in the particulate fraction of PBL and Jurkat cells. Western immunoblot analysis indicates that PBLs possess the calcium-independent PLA(2) (iPLA(2)) protein. Calcium-independent sn-2-acylhydrolytic activity was measurable in PBL cytosols and could be inhibited by the selective iPLA(2) inhibitor bromoenol lactone. Mitogen activation of PBLs resulted in maintenance of activity levels which remained constant over 72 h suggesting an important role for iPLA(2) in this proliferative process. Indeed, evaluation of iPLA(2) activity in cell cycle-arrested Jurkat T cell fractions revealed the highest iPLA(2) levels occurring at the G(2)/M phase. Addition of the iPLA(2) inhibitors, bromoenol lactone, or arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AAOCF(3)), inhibited both mitogen-induced PBL as well as Jurkat T cell proliferation. Moreover, specific depletion of iPLA(2) protein by antisense treatment also resulted in marked suppression of cell division. Inhibition of Jurkat cell proliferation was not associated with arrest at a particular phase of the cell cycle nor was it associated with apoptosis as assessed by flow cytometry. These findings provide the first evidence that iPLA(2) plays a key role in the lymphocyte proliferative response.     

ATP-dependent regulation of rabbit myocardial cytosolic calcium-independent phospholipase A2

We report here that rabbit myocardial cytosolic calcium-independent phospholipase A2 exists as a high molecular weight complex comprised of catalytic and regulatory polypeptides whose activity and stability are influenced by specific interactions with ATP. Multiple lines of evidence document the functional significance of interactions between the catalytic complex and ATP including: 1) adenine nucleotide triphosphates attenuate the rate of thermal denaturation of native cytosolic phospholipase A2; 2) ATP augments the initial rate of phospholipid hydrolysis in a manner independent of the concentration, interfacial properties, and physical state of aggregated substrate; 3) adenine nucleotide triphosphates attenuate the reactivity of an essential thiol residue to covalent modification by 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid); and 4) the catalytic complex specifically and reversibly binds to ATP affinity matrices, although the purified 40-kDa catalytic subunit neither binds to ATP affinity matrices nor is subject to ATP-dependent activation and stabilization. The catalytic and regulatory elements were functionally resolved by differential thermal inactivation and the ATP-regulatable phospholipase A2 catalytic complex was reassembled by reconstitution of highly purified catalytic and partially purified regulatory proteins. Thus, alterations in ATP concentration influence the activity and longevity of the myocardial cytosolic calcium-independent phospholipase A2 catalytic complex, thereby potentially modulating the release of lipidic second messengers and facilitating adaptive alterations in membrane physical properties.     

Naegleria fowleri amoebae express a membrane-associated calcium-independent phospholipase A2

Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba, is the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Previous reports have demonstrated that N. fowleri expresses one or more forms of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) and that a secreted form of this enzyme is involved in pathogenesis. However, the molecular nature of these phospholipases remains largely unknown. This study was initiated to determine whether N. fowleri expresses analogs of the well-characterized PLA₂s that are expressed by mammalian macrophages. Amoeba cell homogenates contain a PLA₂ activity that hydrolyzes the substrate that is preferred by the 85 kDa calcium-dependent cytosolic PLA₂, cPLA₂. However, unlike the cPLA₂ enzyme in macrophages, this activity is largely calcium-independent, is constitutively associated with membranes and shows only a modest preference for phospholipids that contain arachidonate. The amoeba PLA₂ activity is sensitive to inhibitors that block the activities of cPLA₂-α and the 80 kDa calcium-independent PLA₂, iPLA₂, that are expressed by mammalian cells. One of these compounds, methylarachidonyl fluorophosphonate, partially inhibits the constitutive release of [³H]arachidonic acid from pre-labeled amoebae. Together, these data suggest that N. fowleri expresses a constitutively active calcium-independent PLA₂ that may play a role in the basal phospholipid metabolism of these cells.     

The expression and function of a group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2beta) in beta-cells

Many cells express a Group VIA phospholipase A2, designated iPLA2beta, that does not require calcium for activation, is stimulated by ATP, and is sensitive to inhibition by a bromoenol lactone suicide substrate (BEL). Studies in various cell systems have led to the suggestion that iPLA2beta has a role in phospholipid remodeling, signal transduction, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. We have found that pancreatic islets, beta-cells, and glucose-responsive insulinoma cells express an iPLA2beta that participates in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion but is not involved in membrane phospholipid remodeling. Additionally, recent studies reveal that iPLA2beta is involved in pathways that contribute to beta-cell proliferation and apoptosis, and that various phospholipid-derived mediators are involved in these processes. Detailed characterization of the enzyme suggests that the beta-cells express multiple isoforms of iPLA2beta, and we hypothesize that these participate in different cellular functions.     

A mouse model of in vivo chemical inhibition of retinal calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2)

Numerous studies have reported the implication of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) in various biological mechanisms. Most of these works have used in vitro models and only a few have been carried out in vivo on iPLA2^−/− mice. The functions of iPLA2 have been investigated in vivo in the heart, brain, pancreatic islets, and liver, but not in the retina despite its very high content in phospholipids. Phospholipids in the retina are known to be involved in several various key mechanisms such as visual transduction, inflammation or apoptosis. In order to investigate the implication of iPLA2 in these processes, this work was aimed to build an in vivo model of iPLA2 activity inhibition. After testing the efficacy of different chemical inhibitors of iPLA2, we have validated the use of bromoenol lactone (BEL) in vitro and in vivo for inhibiting the activity of iPLA2. Under in vivo conditions, a dose of 6 μg/g of body weight of BEL in mice displayed a 50%-inhibition of retinal iPLA2 activity 8–16 h after intraperitoneal administration. Delivering the same dose twice a day to animals was successful in producing a similar inhibition that was stable over one week. In summary, this novel mouse model exhibits a significant inhibition of retinal iPLA2 activity. This model of chemical inhibition of iPLA2 will be useful in future studies focusing on iPLA2 functions in the retina.     

Immunochemical relatedness between secretory phospholipase A2 and intracellular phospholipase A2

The immunochemical relationship between rat pancreatic phospholipase A2 and rat splenic phospholipase A2 was examined with the use of anti-rat pancreatic phospholipase A2 antibody as a probe. The immunoelectrophoretic patterns showed that the antibody cross-reacted with the splenic enzyme. The immuno-crossreactivity was also shown by counter immunoelectrophoresis. The splenic phospholipase A2, whether it was purified from the cytosolic fraction or the microsomal fraction, formed an immunoprecipitin band with the anti-pancreatic phospholipase A2 antibody. The antibody was shown to inhibit the activity of the pancreatic phospholipase A2 as well as that of the splenic phospholipase A2.     

Potassium regulates IL-1 beta processing via calcium-independent phospholipase A2

We report that potassium leakage from cells leads to activation of the Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2), and the latter plays a pivotal role in regulating the cleavage of pro-IL-1 beta by the IL-converting enzyme caspase-1 in human monocytes. K+ efflux led to increases of cellular levels of glycerophosphocholine, an unambiguous indicator of phospholipase A2 activation. Both maturation of IL-1 beta and formation of glycerophosphocholine were blocked by bromoenol lactone, the specific iPLA2 inhibitor. Bromoenol lactone-dependent inhibition of IL-1 beta processing was not due to perturbation of the export machinery for pro-IL-1 beta and IL-1 beta or to caspase-1 suppression. Conspicuously, activation of Ca2+-dependent phospholipase A2 did not support but rather suppressed IL-1 beta processing. Thus, our findings reveal a specific role for iPLA2 activation in the sequence of events underlying IL-1 beta maturation.     

A novel role of group VIB calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2gamma) in the inducible expression of group IIA secretory PLA2 in rat fibroblastic cells

Group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)-IIA) is a prototypic sPLA(2) enzyme that may play roles in modification of eicosanoid biosynthesis as well as antibacterial defense. In several cell types, inducible expression of sPLA(2) by pro-inflammatory stimuli is attenuated by group IVA cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)alpha) inhibitors such as arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone, leading to the proposal that prior activation of cPLA(2)alpha is required for de novo induction of sPLA(2). However, because of the broad specificity of several cPLA(2)alpha inhibitors used so far, a more comprehensive approach is needed to evaluate the relevance of this ambiguous pathway. Here, we provide evidence that the induction of sPLA(2)-IIA by pro-inflammatory stimuli requires group VIB calcium-independent PLA(2) (iPLA(2)gamma), rather than cPLA(2)alpha, in rat fibroblastic 3Y1 cells. Results with small interfering RNA unexpectedly showed that the cytokine induction of sPLA(2)-IIA in cPLA(2)alpha knockdown cells, in which cPLA(2)alpha protein was undetectable, was similar to that in replicate control cells. By contrast, knockdown of iPLA(2)gamma, another arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone-sensitive intracellular PLA(2), markedly reduced the cytokine-induced expression of sPLA(2)-IIA. Supporting this finding, the R-enantiomer of bromoenol lactone, an iPLA(2)gamma inhibitor, suppressed the cytokine-induced sPLA(2)-IIA expression, whereas (S)-bromoenol lactone, an iPLA(2)beta inhibitor, failed to do so. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated sPLA(2)-IIA expression was also abolished by knockdown of iPLA(2)gamma. These findings open new insight into a novel regulatory role of iPLA(2)gamma in stimulus-coupled sPLA(2)-IIA expression.     

Novel role for calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) in the macrophage antiviral response of inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression

The double-stranded (ds) RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) is a primary regulator of antiviral responses; however, the ability of dsRNA to activate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) and dsRNA + interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) to stimulate inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) expression by macrophages isolated from PKR(-/-) mice suggests that signaling pathways in addition to PKR participate in antiviral activities. We have identified a novel phospholipid-signaling cascade that mediates macrophage activation by dsRNA and viral infection. Bromoenol lactone (BEL), a selective inhibitor of the calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)), prevents dsRNA- and virus-induced iNOS expression by RAW 264.7 cells and mouse macrophages. BEL does not modulate dsRNA-induced interleukin 1 expression, nor does it affect dsRNA-induced NF-kappa B activation. Protein kinase A (PKA) and the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) are downstream targets of iPLA(2), because selective PKA inhibition prevents dsRNA-induced iNOS expression, and the inhibitory actions of BEL on dsRNA-induced iNOS expression are overcome by the direct activation of PKA. In addition, BEL inhibits dsRNA-induced CREB phosphorylation and CRE reporter activation. PKR does not participate in iPLA(2) activation or iNOS expression, because dsRNA stimulates iPLA(2) activity and dsRNA + IFN-gamma induces iNOS expression and nitric oxide production to similar levels by macrophages isolated from PKR(+/+) and PKR(-/-) mice. These findings support a PKR-independent signaling role for iPLA(2) in the antiviral response of macrophages.     

Group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 mediates endothelial cell S phase progression

Arachidonic acid and its metabolites have been previously implicated in the regulation of endothelial cell proliferation. Arachidonic acid may be liberated from cellular phospholipids by the action of group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2-VIA). Consequently, we tested the hypothesis that iPLA2-VIA activity is linked to the regulation of endothelial cell proliferation. Inhibition of iPLA2 activity by bromoenol lactone (BEL) was sufficient to entirely block endothelial cell growth. BEL dose-dependently inhibited endothelial cell DNA synthesis in a manner that was reversed upon the exogenous addition of arachidonic acid. DNA synthesis was inhibited by the S-isomer and not by the R-isomer of BEL, demonstrating that endothelial cell proliferation is mediated specifically by iPLA2-VIA. iPLA2-VIA activity was critical to the progression of endothelial cells through S phase and is required for the expression of the cyclin A/cdk2 complex. Thus, inhibition of iPLA2-VIA blocks S phase progression and results in exit from the cell cycle. Inhibition of iPLA2-VIA-mediated endothelial cell proliferation is sufficient to block angiogenic tubule formation in co-culture assays. Consequently, iPLA2-VIA is a novel regulator of endothelial cell S phase progression, cell cycle residence, and angiogenesis.     

Tryptase activates calcium-independent phospholipase A2 and releases PGE2 in airway epithelial cells

Human small airway epithelial cells (HSAEC) form the boundary between the external environmental allergens and the internal lung milieu. Mast cells are present in human lung tissue interspersed within the pulmonary epithelium and can secrete a host of pre- and newly formed mediators from their granules, which may propagate small airway inflammation. In this study, tryptase stimulation of HSAEC increased membrane-associated, calcium-independent phospholipase A(2)gamma (iPLA(2)gamma) activity, resulting in increased arachidonic acid and PGE(2) release. These responses were inhibited by pretreating HSAEC with the iPLA(2)-selective inhibitor bromoenol lactone. The tryptase-stimulated PGE(2) production was inhibited by treating HSAEC with the cyclooxygenase (COX)-1-selective inhibitor SC-560 and the nonselective COX inhibitor aspirin but not by the COX-2-selective inhibitor CAY10404, indicating that the early release of arachidonic acid is metabolized by constitutive COX-1 to form PGE(2) in tryptase-stimulated HSAEC. Additionally, platelet-activating factor production and neutrophil adherence to tryptase-stimulated HSAEC was also increased. This complex response can set up a cascade of inflammatory mediator production in small airways. We speculate that selective inhibition of iPLA(2)gamma-mediated phospholipid hydrolysis may prove beneficial in inflammatory airway diseases.     

Differential effects of calcium-dependent and calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) inhibitors on kainate-induced neuronal injury in rat hippocampal slices

Brain tissue contains multiple forms of intracellular phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activity that differ from each other in many ways including their response to specific inhibitors. The systemic administration of kainic acid to rats produces a marked increase in cPLA(2) activity in neurons and astrocytes. This is associated with increased lipid peroxidation as evidenced by accumulation of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) modified proteins. The present study describes the effect of specific inhibitors of Ca(2+)-dependent or Ca(2+)-independent PLA(2) on kainite-induced excitotoxic injury in rat hippocampal slices. Specific inhibitors of Ca(2+)-dependent PLA(2) prevented the decrease of a neuronal marker, GluR1, and increase in cPLA(2) and 4-HNE immunoreactivities in slices treated with kainate. This shows that cPLA(2) plays an important role in kainite-induced neurotoxicity and that cPLA(2) inhibitors can be used to protect hippocampal slices from damage induced by kainate.     

Purification of a new, calcium-independent, high molecular weight phospholipase A2/lysophospholipase (phospholipase B) from guinea pig intestinal brush-border membrane

A phospholipase A2 activity directed against phosphatidylcholine was previously described in brush-border membrane from guinea pig intestine (Diagne, A., Mitjavila, S., Fauvel, J., Chap, H., and Douste-Blazy, L. (1987) Lipids 22, 33-40). In the present study, this enzyme was solubilized either with Triton X-100 or upon papain treatment, suggesting a structural similarity with other intestinal hydrolases such as leucine aminopeptidase, sucrase, or trehalase. The papain-solubilized form, which is thought to lack the short hydrophobic tail responsible for membrane anchoring, was purified 1800-fold to about 90% purity by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA44, and hydrophobic chromatography on phenyl-Sepharose. Upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, a main band with an apparent molecular mass of 97 kDa was detected under reducing and nonreducing conditions. In the latter case, phospholipase A2 activity could be recovered from the gel and was shown to coincide with the 97-kDa protein detected by silver staining. The enzyme activity was unaffected by EGTA and slightly inhibited by CaCl2. The purified enzyme displayed a similar activity against phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, whereas 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine hydrolysis was reduced by 50% compared to diacylglycerophospholipids. Using phosphatidylcholine labeled with either [3H]palmitic acid or [14C]linoleic acid in the 1- or 2-positions, respectively, the purified enzyme catalyzed the removal of [3H]palmitic acid, although at a lower rate compared to [14C]linoleic acid. This resulted in the formation of sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, but only 1-[3H]palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine was detected as an intermediary product. In agreement with this, 1-acyl-2-lyso-sn-[14C]glycero-3-phosphocholine was deacylated at almost the same rate as the sn-2-position of phosphatidylcholine. Since upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the two hydrolytic activities were detected at the same position as 97-kDa protein, the enzyme is thus considered as a phospholipase A2 with lysophospholipase activity (phospholipase B), which might be involved in phospholipid digestion.     

Involvement of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in uterine stromal cell phospholipid remodelling.

The role of Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) in arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid incorporation and phospholipid remodelling in rat uterine stromal cells (UIII cells) was studied. Incorporation of AA and DHA into UIII cell phospholipids was Ca2+-independent. Bromoenollactone (BEL), a potent inhibitor of iPLA2, reduced lysophosphatidylcholine level and AA incorporation into phospholipids by approximately 20%. DHA incorporation was not affected by BEL, indicating that the pathways for AA and DHA incorporation are partially different. In control cells, the transfer of AA occurred mainly from diacyl-glycerophosphocholine (GroPCho) to alkenylacyl-glycerophosphoethanolamine (GroPEtn) and to a lesser extent from diacyl-GroPCho to diacyl-GroPEtn. [3H]DHA was redistributed from diacyl-GroPCho and alkylacyl-GroPEtn to alkenylacyl-GroPEtn. BEL treatment inhibited completely the redistributrion of AA within diacyl-GroPCho and diacyl -GroPEtn and reduced the [3H]DHA content of diacyl-GroPEtn, indicating that a BEL-sensitive iPLA2 controls the redistribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids to diacyl-GroPEtn. In contrast the redistribution of radioactive AA and DHA to alkenylacyl-GroPEtn was almost insensitive to BEL. The analysis of substrate specificity and BEL sensitivity of iPLA2 activity indicates that UIII cells exhibit at least two isoforms of iPLA2, one of which is BEL-sensitive and quite selective of diacyl species, and another one that is insensitive to BEL and selective for alkenylacyl-GroPEtn. Taken together, these results suggest that several iPLA2 participate independently in the remodelling of UIII cell phospholipids.