Inhibition by Neurotoxic Phospholipases A2 of Synaptosomal Uptake of γ-Aminobutyric Acid

A comparison has been made of the abilities of several neurotoxic and nontoxic phospholipases A₂ from snake venoms to inhibit the intake of γ-aminobutyric acid into synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortex. The neurotoxic phospholipases A₂ inhibited GABA uptake more than the nontoxic enzymes did. However, there was a poor correlation between the measured specific enzyme activity of a phospholipase A₂ and its ability to inhibit the uptake of GABA.     

Refolding and purification of the human secreted group IID phospholipase A2 expressed as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli

The secreted phospholipases A₂ (sPLA₂s) are water-soluble enzymes that bind to the surface of both artificial and biological lipid bilayers and hydrolyze the membrane phospholipids. The tissue expression pattern of the human group IID secretory phospholipase A₂ (hsPLA₂-IID) suggests that the enzyme is involved in the regulation of the immune and inflammatory responses. With an aim to establish an expression system for the hsPLA₂-IID in Escherichia coli, the DNA-coding sequence for hsPLA₂-IID was subcloned into the vector pET3a, and expressed as inclusion bodies in E. coli (BL21). A protocol has been developed to refold the recombinant protein in the presence of guanidinium hydrochloride, using a size-exclusion chromatography matrix followed by dilution and dialysis to remove the excess denaturant. After purification by cation-exchange chromatography, far ultraviolet circular dichroism spectra of the recombinant hsPLA₂-IID indicated protein secondary structure content similar to the homologous human group IIA secretory phospholipase A₂. The refolded recombinant hsPLA₂-IID demonstrated Ca²⁺-dependent hydrolytic activity, as measuring the release free fatty acid from phospholipid liposomes. This protein expression and purification system may be useful for site-directed mutagenesis experiments of the hsPLA₂-IID which will advance our understanding of the structure–function relationship and biological effects of the protein.     

Action of phospholipase A2 of rabbit neuronal and glial cells on 1,2-diacyl-, 2-acyl-1-alk-1′-enyl-, and 2-acyl-1-alkyl-glycerophosphatides

Pronounced differences in the phospholipase A₂ activities were found in neurons and glia, the enzyme activity being two- to threefold higher in neurons than in glial cells. Both phospholipases A₂ hydrolyzed the 1,2-diacylglycerophosphatides more rapidly than the acylalkyl and acylalkenyl compounds. Choline plasmalogen and the corresponding alkyl derivative were cleaved at similar rates by the phospholipase A₂ from both glia and neurons. There was a tendency by the neuronal phospholipase A₂ to release arachidonic acid faster than linolenic acid from both phosphatidylcholine and ethanolamine, while arachidonic acid was removed less actively from phosphatidylethanolamine by the glial enzyme. The glial phospholipase A₂ showed a lag period of 10 or 20 min. Norepinephrine, injected into the lateral ventricle of the rabbit brain, stimulated the hydrolysis of the various 1,2-diacyl-, acylalkyl-, and acylalkenyl-glycerophosphatides by the phospholipase A₂ from both glia and neurons.     

Calcium-dependent binding of calmodulin to phospholipase A2 subunits induces enzymatic activation

Calmodulin interacted with phospholipase A₂ from two different sources, as established by affinity chromatography, dimethylsuberimidate protein crosslinking, and phospholipase A₂ assays. Calmodulin was covalently crosslinked to pancreatic and bee venom phospholipases A₂ in a calcium-dependent manner, and enhanced the enzymatic activities of these phospholipases. Pancreatic phospholipase A₂ was separated into two species of identical molecular weight by calmodulin affinity chromatography; the species that bound to immobilized calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner was stimulated by calmodulin. This presents further evidence that phospholipase A₂ is directly activated by calmodulin.     

Phospholipases A2: Variations on a structural theme and their implications as to mechanism

Our approach to a study of structure-function relationships in phospholipases A₂ is based upon the hypothesis that these enzymes are related by divergent evolutionary processes. Accordingly, characterization of such enzymes, which exhibit structural and functional variations, must be reconciled with a common theme that ultimately relates to mechanism. Our focus in the present communication concerns studies on the bee venom enzyme and a new class of phospholipases A₂ that is unique in having a lysine in place of the aspartic acid at position 49.This article was presented during the proceedings of the International Conference on Macromolecular Structure and Function, held at the National Defence Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan, December 1985.     

Crotalus adamanteus phospholipase A2-α: Subunit structure,NH2-terminal sequence,and homology with other phospholipases

Automated Edman degradation of reduced and carboxymethylated phospholipase A₂-α from Crotalus adamanteus venom revealed a single amino acid sequence extending 30 residues into the protein from the amino terminus. The singularity of the sequence and the yields of the phenylthiohydantoin amino acids thus obtained indicate that the subunits comprising the phospholipase dimer are identical. Further chemical evidence in support of subunit identity was obtained by cleavage of phospholipase A₂-α with cyanogen bromide. Compositional analysis of the protein revealed one residue of methionine per monomer and the sequence determination placed this amino acid at position 10 in the sequence of 133 amino acids. Cyanogen bromide cleavage of the protein, followed by reduction and carboxymethylation afforded the expected 2 fragments: an NH₂-terminal decapeptide (CNBr-1) and a larger COOH-terminal fragment of 123 residues (CNBr-II). Automated Edman degradation of the latter has extended the sequence analysis to 54 residues in the NH₂-terminal segment of the monomer chain. Comparison of this sequence with those derived for phospholipases from other snake venoms, from bee venom, and from porcine pancreas has revealed striking homologies in this region of the molecules. As expected on the basis of their phylogenetic classification, the phospholipases from the pit vipers C. adamanteus and Agkistrodon halys blomhoffii are more similar to one another in sequence than to the enzyme from the more distantly related viper, Bitis gabonica. Furthermore, the very close similarities in sequence observed among all of these phospholipases in regions corresponding to residues 24 through 53 in the C. adamanteus enzyme suggest that this segment of the polypeptide plays an important role in phospholipase function and probably constitutes part of the active site.     

Plant phospholipases A<Subscript>2</Subscript>: perspectives on biotechnological applications

The recent progress in knowledge on biochemical properties and functions of phospholipases A₂ in plants paved the way for approving the suitability of these enzymes for commercial use now. The secreted phospholipases A₂, representing one type of phospholipases A₂ occurring in plants, show distinct differences in substrate specificities with respect to headgroup and acyl chains of the glycerophospholipids in comparison to their counterparts from animal sources. The other type of phospholipases A₂ in plants, the patatin-related phospholipases A₂, is characterized by broad substrate specificity. Accordingly, the unique properties of the plant enzymes open new horizons to engineered biocatalysts with improved performance, e.g., for vegetable oil refinement by degumming and for targeted modification of phospholipids. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Phospholipases A2: Variations on a structural theme and their implications as to mechanism

Our approach to a study of structure-function relationships in phospholipases A₂ is based upon the hypothesis that these enzymes are related by divergent evolutionary processes. Accordingly, characterization of such enzymes, which exhibit structural and functional variations, must be reconciled with a common theme that ultimately relates to mechanism. Our focus in the present communication concerns studies on the bee venom enzyme and a new class of phospholipases A₂ that is unique in having a lysine in place of the aspartic acid at position 49.     

Multiple forms of porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2: Isolation and specificity

Porcine pancreatic phospholipase A₂ was purified from commercial pancreatin by a method involving heat denaturation, trichloroacetic acid precipitation, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Assaying the eluate of the chromatography step by a new titrimetric method using vegetable lecithin-albumin emulsion as the substrate, several species of phospholipase A were found. Some of these went undetected when the conventional egg yolk emulsion assay was used. Two phospholipases A₂ were isolated in a homogeneous form and shown to have similar chemical and physical properties. Catalytic specificity of the two enzymes differs remarkably toward lecithins in different emulsified states.     

Immunoaffinity purification, partial sequence, and subcellular localization of rat liver phospholipase A2

Monoclonal antibodies against rat liver mitochondrial phospholipase A2 were used to develop a rapid immunoaffinity chromatography for enzyme purification. The purified enzyme showed a single band upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The sequence of the N-terminal 24 amino acids was determined. This part of the sequence showed only 25% homology with that of rat pancreatic phospholipase A2 but was 96% identical to that of rat platelet and rat spleen membrane-associated phospholipase A2. These enzymes are distinguished from pancreatic phospholipases A2 by the absence of Cys-11. In rat liver phospholipase A2 activity has been reported in various subcellular fractions. All of these require Ca2+ and have a pH optimum in the alkaline region, but little is known about the structural relationship and quantitative distribution of these enzymes. We have investigated these points after solubilization of the phospholipase A2 activity from total homogenates and crude subcellular fractions by extraction with 1 M potassium chloride. Essentially all of the homogenate activity could be solubilized by this procedure indicating that the enzymes occurred in soluble or peripherally membrane-associated form. Gel filtration and immunological cross-reactivity studies indicated that phospholipases A2 solubilized from membrane fractions shared a common epitope with the mitochondrial enzyme. The quantitative distribution of the immunopurified enzyme activity among subcellular fractions followed closely that of the mitochondrial marker cytochrome c oxidase. Rat liver cytosol contained additional Ca2+-dependent and -independent phospholipase activities.     

Interaction of Phospholipase A of the E. coli Outer Membrane with the Inhibitors of Eucaryotic Phospholipases A2 and Their Effect on the Ca2+-Induced Permeabilization of the Bacterial Membrane

Phospholipase A of the bacterial outer membrane (OMPLA) is a β-barrel membrane protein which is activated under various stress conditions. The current study examines interaction of inhibitors of eucaryotic phospholipases A₂—palmitoyl trifluoromethyl ketone (PACOCF₃) and aristolochic acid (AA)—with OMPLA and considers a possible involvement of the enzyme in the Ca²⁺-dependent permeabilization of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. Using the method of molecular docking, it has been predicted that PACOCF₃ and AA bind to OMPLA at the same site and with the same affinity as the OMPLA inhibitors, hexadecanesulfonylfluoride and bromophenacyl bromide, and the substrate of the enzyme palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine. It has also been shown that PACOCF₃, AA, and bromophenacyl bromide inhibit the Ca²⁺-induced temperature-dependent changes in the permeability of the bacterial membrane for the fluorescent probe propidium iodide and suppressed the transformation of E. coli cells with plasmid DNA induced by Ca²⁺ and heat shock. The cell viability was not affected by the eucaryotic phospholipases A₂ inhibitors. The study discusses a possible involvement of OMPLA in the mechanisms of bacterial transmembrane transport based on the permeabilization of the bacterial outer membrane.     

Discrimination between the regioisomeric 1,2- and 1,3-diacylglycerophosphocholines by phospholipases

The artificial 1,3-diacyl-glycero-2-phosphocholines (1,3-PCs), which form similar aggregate structures as the naturally occurring 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines (1,2-PCs), were tested as substrates for different classes of phospholipases such as phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) from porcine pancreas, bee and snake venom, and Arabidopsis thaliana, phospholipase C (PLC) from Bacillus cereus, and phospholipase D (PLD) from cabbage and Streptomyces species. The regioisomers of the natural phospholipids were shown to bind to all investigated phospholipases with an affinity similar to the corresponding naturally occurring phospholipids, however their hydrolysis was reduced to different degrees (PLA₂s and PLC) or even abolished (PLDs belonging to the PLD superfamily). The results are in accordance with binding models obtained by docking the substrates to the crystal structures or homology models of the phospholipases.     

Action of phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C on Escherichia coli

The action of exogenous phospholipases on Escherichia coli has been examined. Cells harvested in late log phase were found to be completely resistant to the action of phospholipases A₂ and C. Treatment of cells with Tris and EDTA was required to make the phospholipids in the cell accessible to these phospholipases. Phospholipase A₂ hydrolyzed mainly phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, whereas phospholipase C preferentially degraded phosphatidylethanolamine.During the EDTA treatment, an endogenous phospholipase A₁ or a lysophospholipase (or both) was unmasked which caused the formation of free fatty acids in experiments in which no phospholipase was added and which degraded some of the lysophospholipids formed by phospholipase A₂.The cells were rapidly killed by the successive Tris-EDTA-phospholipase treatment, but no cell disintegration was observed.     

Comparison of the crystallin mRNA populations from rat,calf and duck lens. Evidence for a longer αA2-mRNA and two distinct αB2-mRNAs in the birds

Total cytoplasmic poly(A)-containing RNA from rat, calf and duck lens was fractionated by electrophoresis in methylmercury hydroxide-containing agarose gels. RNA electrophoresed in parallel lanes was either transferred onto nitrocellulose and hybridized with total cDNA synthesized on the initial mRNA or was recovered from individual gel fractions for in vitro translation in a reticulocyte cell-free system. This allowed the identification and size-characterization of individual mRNA species encoding α-, β-, γ- and δ-crystallin polypeptides. The 14 S mRNA fraction of rat lens comprises two αA₂-mRNAs of approximately 1250 and 1350 nucleotides and the αA^Ins-mRNA with a size similar to that of the largest αA₂-mRNA. The calf lens 14 S mRNA fraction harbors a heterogeneous population of αA₂-mRNA. In the same fraction another mRNA encoding a polypeptide, designated X, has been found sharing no homology with αA sequences. The duck lens αA₂-mRNA appears to be 400–450 bases longer than the rat and calf lens αA₂-mRNAs. Furthermore, in contrast to the single αB₂-mRNA in rat and calf lens, two αB₂-mRNAs have been identified in duck lens, one, the major species, similar in size to the αB₂-mRNA in rat and calf lens (800 bases), and the other species 700 nucleotides longer. The large size differences among the αA₂- and αB₂-mRNAs most likely reside in their 3′-untranslated sequences.     

Differences in the pattern of attack of acidic,neutral, and basic phospholipases A2 of A. halys blomhofii on human erythrocyte membranes: Problems in interpretation of phospholipid location

Purified acidic (pI 4.9), neutral (pI 6.9), and basic (pI 8.7) phospholipase A₂ from Agkistrodon halys blomhofii showed characteristically different patterns of hemolysis and phospholipid hydrolysis of intact human erthyrocytes. Acidic and neutral enzymes were nonlytic in the early periods of incubations with intact erythrocytes whereas the basic enzyme caused immediate hemolysis (5–8%). Under nonlytic conditions acidic and neutral enzymes hydrolyzed only phosphatidyl choline (PC) (20 and 50%, respectively), whereas basic enzyme hydrolyzed not only PC (60%) but nearly 15% of the phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Both PC and PE were hydrolyzed significantly when the three phospholipases A₂ were incubated individually with erythrocyte lysate or hypotonic ghosts (sealed or unsealed). The order of substrate preference for acidic and neutral enzymes was always PC > PE. On the contrary basic enzyme exhibited the property of substrate specificity reversal. It hydrolyzed PC faster than PE when the membranes were sealed whereas PE hydrolysis was faster than PC hydrolysis in unsealed membranes. Interestingly only the basic enzyme showed activity in the absence of Ca²⁺ and in the presence of 0.5 mm EDTA. Phospholipase C (Bacillus cereus or Clostridium perfringens) did not show the property of substrate specificity reversal although their ability to hydrolyze PC and PE was different. In general this study demonstrates the unique activity patterns of three physically different pure phospholipases A₂ on human erythrocyte membranes which could be of value in selectively modifying membrane phospholipids. In addition it also throws an important light on the fact that results obtained with phospholipases should be interpreted with caution particularly as regards the localization of phospholipids in membranes.     

Effect of Retinoic Acid on the Ca2+-Independent Phospholipase A2 in Nuclei of LA-N-1 Neuroblastoma Cells

LA-N-1 neuroblastoma cell cultures contain Ca²⁺-independent phospholipases A₂ hydrolyzing phosphatidylethanolamine and ethanolamine plasmalogens. These enzymes differ from each other in their molecular mass, substrate specificity, and kinetic properties. Subcellular distribution studies have indicated that the activity of these phospholipases is not only localized in the cytosol but also in non-nuclear membranes and in nuclei. The treatment of LA-N-1 neuroblastoma cell cultures with retinoic acid results in a marked stimulation of Ca²⁺-independent phospholipases A₂ hydrolyzing phosphatidylethanolamine and plasmenylethanolamine. The increase of the activities of both enzymes was first observed in nuclei followed by those present in the cytosol. No effect of retinoic acid on either phospholipase activity could be observed in non-nuclear membranes. The stimulation of these enzymes may be involved in the generation and regulation of arachidonic acid and its metabolites during differentiation.     

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 ofAgkistrodon p. piscivorus

Phospholipases A₂ may exist in solution both as monomers and dimers, but enzymes that form strong dimers (K _D 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 fromAgkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus (American cotton-mouth 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 fromCrotalus atrox andCrotalus 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 phosphilipases 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 fromA. p. piscivorus venom.     

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 ofAgkistrodon p. piscivorus

Phospholipases A₂ may exist in solution both as monomers and dimers, but enzymes that form strong dimers (K _D 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 fromAgkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus (American cotton-mouth 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 fromCrotalus atrox andCrotalus 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 phosphilipases 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 fromA. p. piscivorus venom.     

Development of a one-step enzyme immunoassay for the quantitation of gibberellin A3 in barley seeds

The development of a sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassay for GA₃ is reported. This method was based on the use of peroxidase labelled GA₃ and immobilized antibodies. In order to obtain a rapid immunoassay, several steps of purification were analyzed to show their necessity. Barley seed extracts were assayed at different steps of purification to exhibit the effect of extract components on the assay. It was demonstrated that HPLC had to be performed when a selective quantitation of GA₃ was required. This assay allowed GA₃ to be measured with reproducibility as its unmethylated form and the quantitation of GA₃ in barley seeds with this enzyme immunoassay was correlated to a GC-MS method.Abbreviations GA₃ gibberellin A₃ - EIA enzyme immunoassay - DMF dimethylformamide - TEA tri(n)ethylamine - BSA bovine serum albumin - OVA ovalbumine - ECF ethylchloroformate - PB phosphate buffer