Stimulation of Phospholipase A2 and Secretion of Catecholamines from Brain Synaptosomes by Potassium and A23187

Abstract: Potassium depolarization of rat brain synaptosomes (containing incorporated l-acyl-2-[¹⁴C]arachidonyl-phosphatidylcholine) stimulated endogenous phospholipase A₁ (EC 3.1.1.32) and A₂ (EC 3.1.1.4), as determined by the formation of [¹⁴C]lysophosphatidylcholine, [¹⁴C]arachidonate, and [¹⁴C]prostaglandins, and also stimulated the secretion of [³H]catecholamines. The phospholipase A₂ stimulation, dependent on calcium, was elicited in resting synaptosomes by A23187 and was demonstrated with incorporated 1-acyl-2-[^l4C]oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine but not with incorporated [^I4C]phosphatidylethanolamine or [^l4C]phosphatidylserine. Inhibitors of phospholipase A₂ [p-bromophenacylbromide (10 μM), trifluoperazine (3 μM), and quinacrine (3 μM) reduced the potassium-stimulated [³H]catecholamine release from synaptosomes to 78, 39. and 55%, respectively, of depolarized controls. The addition of lysophosphatidylcholine increased the release of [³H]norepinephrine to levels observed with potassium depolarization, whereas lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylserine, and sodium dodecyl sulfate were much less effective. Potassium stimulation of synaptosomes increased the endogenous levels of free arachidonic acid and prostaglandins E₂ and F_2α. Indomethacin and aspirin decreased the amounts of prostaglandins formed, allowed the accumulation of free arachidonic acid, and diminished the potassium-stimulated release of [³H]dopamine. p-Bromophenacylbromide inhibited the formation of prostaglandin F_2α. Addition of prostaglandin E₂ inhibited, whereas prostaglandin F_2α enhanced the release of [³H]norepinephrine. These results suggest that calcium influx induced by synaptosomal depolarization activates endogenous phospholipase A₂, with subsequent formation of lysophosphatidylcholine and prostaglandins, both of which may modulate neurosecretion.