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Accumulation of unesterified arachidonic acid in ischemic canine myocardium. Relationship to a phosphatidylcholine deacylation-reacylation cycle and the depletion of membrane phospholipids.

Studies in ischemic canine left ventricle have shown that the depletion of membrane phospholipids is a critical event in the development of a sarcolemmal calcium permeability defect and associated irreversible myocyte injury. The mechanism of phospholipid loss is unclear, but may be due to the activation of endogenous phospholipases. Since arachidonic acid is a fatty acid found almost entirely in phospholipid, increases in arachidonate provide evidence for increased phospholipase activity. The present study was designed to examine the temporal relationship of the accumulation of free arachidonate with the onset of phospholipid depletion during fixed ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in canine myocardium. The following results were demonstrated in ischemic canine myocardium: (1) the accumulation of unesterified arachidonate is minimal during 10-30 minutes of ischemia, but is significantly increased after prolonging the duration of ischemia to 1-3 hours; (2) significant increases in arachidonate precede the development of a significant decrease in total phospholipid content; (3) the decrease in the arachidonate content of phosphatidylcholine is accompanied by similar decreases in all of the fatty acyl moieties; (4) the arachidonate content of lysophosphatidylcholine and diacylglycerol are unchanged during myocardial ischemia; (5) there is evidence of a deacylation-reacylation cycle in phosphatidylcholine prior to the accumulation of free arachidonate; (6) the fatty acyl specificity of the lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase corresponds to the pattern of fatty acyl remodeling of phosphatidylcholine during early myocardial ischemia. These data suggest that the accumulation of arachidonate may be a more sensitive measure of phospholipid degradation than the decrease in total phospholipid content in ischemic canine myocardium. It is postulated that the defective reacylation of arachidonate into phosphatidylcholine may contribute to the net loss of membrane phospholipid during myocardial ischemia.

1-Acylglycerophosphocholine O-Acyltransferase↗

Quantitation of the transfer of surface phospholipid of chylomicrons to the high density lipoprotein fraction during the catabolism of chylomicrons in the rat.

Small chylomicrons (CM) labeled with cholesterol, cholesterol ester, phospholipid, and, in some cases, protein, were used to study the fate of these constituents as the CM are catabolized in the circulations of the hepatectomized and intact rat. In the hepatectomized animal after (1/2) h, CM are greatly reduced in volume, surface area, and diameter. During this period, the CM lost >92% of the mass of their triacylglycerol, >77% of the mass of their phospholipid, and >39% of their protein. Compared to the injected CM, the chemically altered particles, called CM "remnants," have a reduction in volume of 96% and in surface area of 88%. The labeled cholesterol esters remain with the CM remnants but, strikingly, a major fraction of the labeled phospholipids and labeled soluble apoproteins leave the CM and are found in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction. The chemical composition of this HDL fraction contains relatively more phospholipid and less cholesterol ester than normal rat HDL. Because of the difference in composition of HDL between normal rats and those given CM, we estimate that the HDL phospholipid pool increased by congruent with25% by the infusion of congruent with 4-5 mg of CM phospholipid. Approximately 5 mg of phospholipid is secreted on CM by a fed rat in 1 h. The findings in hepatectomized rats indicate that a major fraction of the phospholipid and a minor fraction of the protein (soluble non-B apoproteins) of newly secreted CM are transferred from the CM to the HDL fraction during remnant formation. The same process probably occurs in intact rats except that the remnant particles are rapidly removed from the plasma by the liver and a smaller fraction of the surface of the CM enters the HDL fraction.

Animals↗

Abnormalities in membrane phospholipid organization in sickled erythrocytes.

In contrast to the wealth of information concerning membrane phospholipid asymmetry in normal human erythrocytes, very little is known about membrane phospholipid organization in pathologic erythrocytes. Since the spectrin-actin lattice, which has been suggested to play an important role in stabilizing membrane phospholipid asymmetry, is abnormal in sickled erythrocytes, we determined the effects of sickling on membrane phospholipid organization. We used two enzymatic probes: been venom phospholipase A2 and Staphylococcus aureus sphingomyelinase C, which do not penetrate the membrane and react only with phospholipids located in the outer leaflet of the bilayer. Our results suggest that the distribution of glycerophospholipids within the membrane of sickled cells is different from that in nonsickled cells. Compared with the normal erythrocyte, the outer membrane leaflet of the deoxygenated, reversibly sickled cells (RSC) and irreversibly sickled cells (ISC) was enriched in phosphatidyl ethanolamine in addition to containing phosphatidyl serine. These changes were compensated for by a decrease in phosphatidyl choline in that layer. The distribution of sphingomyelin over the two halves of the bilayer was unaffected by sickling. In contrast to ICS, where the organization of phospholipids was abnormal under both oxy and deoxy conditions, reoxygenation of RSC almost completely restored the organization of membrane phospholipids to normal. These results indicate that the process of sickling induces an abnormality in the organization of membrane phospholipids to normal. These results indicate that the process of sickling induces an abnormality in the organization of membrane lipids in RSC which become permanent in ISC.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Transbilayer mobility and distribution of red cell phospholipids during storage.

We studied phospholipid topology and transbilayer mobility in red cells during blood storage. The distribution of phospholipids was determined by measuring the reactivity of phosphatidylethanolamine with fluorescamine and the degradation of phospholipids by phospholipase A2 and sphingomyelinase C. Phospholipid mobility was measured by determining transbilayer movements of spin-labeled phospholipids. We were unable to detect a change in the distribution of endogenous membrane phospholipids in stored red cells even after 2-mo storage. The rate of inward movement of spin-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine was progressively reduced, whereas that for phosphatidylcholine was increased. These changes in phospholipid translocation correlated with a fall in cellular ATP. However, following restoration of ATP, neither the rate of aminophospholipid translocation nor the transbilayer movement of phosphatidylcholine were completely corrected. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that red cell storage alters the kinetics of transbilayer mobility of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine, the activity of the aminophospholipid translocase, but not the asymmetric distribution of endogenous membrane phospholipids, at least at a level detectable with phospholipases. Thus, if phosphatidylserine appearance on the outer monolayer is a signal for red cell elimination, the amount that triggers macrophage recognition is below the level of detection upon using the phospholipase technique.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulates phospholipid labeling in cultured granulosa cells.

Cultured ovarian granulosa cells from preantral and preovulatory follicles were incubated with [32P]Pi to label endogenous phospholipids. Labeled cells were then incubated with FSH, GnRH, or a GnRH agonist analog [D-Ala6]GnRH (GnRHa), cellular phospholipids were separated by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography, and the radioactivity was determined. Phosphatidylcholine was the major labeled phospholipid accounting for 64% of the total radioactivity. The remaining labeling was distributed among choline plasmalogen (8.4%), phosphatidylinositol (6.3%), lyso phosphatidylcholine (3.7%), phosphatidylethanolamine (3.4%), phosphatidic acid (1.75%), phosphatidylserine (1.65%), and cardiolipin (1.3%). GnRH and its agonist analog GnRHa, but not FSH, increased 32P incorporation into phospholipids by 2-fold. Analysis of the several phospholipids revealed that GnRHa (10(-7) M) increased 32P labeling of phosphatidylcholine and lyso phosphatidylcholine by 1.5- and 2.5-fold respectively, and that of phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol by 5- and 7-fold, respectively, during 60 min of incubation. The natural decapeptide GnRH was 30 times less potent than its agonist analog. Labeling of other phospholipids was not affected by GnRHa treatment, and FSH had no effect on 32P incorporation under similar conditions. The stimulatory effect of GnRHa was blocked by the potent GnRH antagonist [D-pGlu1,pClPhe2, D-Trp3,6]GnRH. The minimal stimulating dose of GnRHa was 10(-12) M, and increased phospholipid labeling could be detected after 10 min of incubation with the analog. These results indicate that phospholipids, in particular phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidic acid, might be involved in the mechanism by which GnRH exerts its gonadal effects.

Animals↗

Hormonal control of phospholipid methylation in uterine luminal epithelial cells during uterine sensitivity to deciduogenic stimuli.

Estrogen secretion during pregnancy or pseudopregnancy defines a period of uterine sensitivity to deciduogenic stimuli, perhaps by altering the capacity of the luminal epithelium to respond to these stimuli. In several types of cells, the transduction of signals acting upon cell membranes appears to involve activation of the transmethylation of membrane phospholipids. To examine the role of membrane phospholipid methylation in the development and loss of uterine sensitivity, the capacity of luminal epithelial cells to incorporate 3H-methyl groups from [methyl-3H]methionine into phospholipid was determined during pseudopregnancy and after progestin and estrogen treatment of ovariectomized rats to induce uterine sensitivity. During pseudopregnancy, phospholipid transmethylation increased between days 3 and 4 and then decreased. Phospholipid transmethylation also decreased after estradiol treatment of progestin-pretreated ovariectomized rats. Lowest levels of methylation were observed on day 6 of pseudopregnancy or after 36 h of estradiol treatment when the uterus was no longer sensitive to deciduogenic stimuli. One of the earliest uterine responses to deciduogenic stimuli is an increase in vascular permeability. When phospholipid methylation was inhibited in luminal epithelial cells by administration of 3-deazaadenosine, the increase in vascular permeability following a deciduogenic stimulus was inhibited. These data suggest that the primary responses of uterine luminal epithelial cells to deciduogenic stimuli may involve phospholipid methylation and that decreases in cellular capacity for phospholipid methylation result in decreases in uterine sensitivity to these stimuli.

Animals↗

Alteration in phospholipid content of lung of adult rats treated with methylprednisolone of high doses.

The effect of methylprednisolone (MP) of high dosage on not only surfactant lipids but also other phospholipid components of adult rat lungs was studied. In spite of the decrease in body weight after one and two intraperitoneal injections of MP of 50 and 100 mg/kg, the increase in content of phospholipids of post-lavaged lung tissue, alveolar white layer, and alveolar macrophages occurred. Although the phospholipid content in the lung tissue and white layer started to decrease by following MP treatment of higher doses, its amount in the white layer and macrophages continued to increase by 25 mg/kg of MP. These changes in the phospholipid content with MP treatment was mainly a consequence of the changes in the content of phosphatidylcholine, especially disaturated phosphatidylcholine, as a main component of lung surfactant. The changes in percentages of other phospholipid components, except for phosphatidylglycerol among total phospholipid in the white layer were not significant. Changes in the content and composition of phospholipid of the isolated epithelial type II cells from adult rat lung after one and two injections of MP (50 mg/kg) were similar to those shown in the lung tissue. Our results indicate that, in the adult rat lung, not only the biosynthesis of phospholipid including surfactant lipids but also its secretion into alveolar space are greatly stimulated by administration of MP of high doses.

Animals↗

Alterations in phospholipids in acute ischemic myocardium.

Alterations in the phospholipid component of membranes were studied in acute myocardial ischemia with respect to sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and mitochondria (Mt) in the canine heart and compared with changes in the phospholipid composition of intact membrane treated with exogenous phospholipases (PLases) A2 and C, in order to examine the mechanism of ischemic degradation. As early as 30 min after coronary ligation, the total phospholipid content of SR and Mt decreased significantly, 16.0% and 5.6%, respectively. The patterns of SR and Mt phospholipids from the ischemic myocardia did not differ on the chromatograms from those of the non-ischemic myocardia, and no significant increases in lysophospholipids were found for up to 3 hrs. Among the components of phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) decreased mainly during ischemia, and depletion of PC exceeded that of PE in SR. PLase C hydrolysed phospholipids yielded no lysophospholipids, compared to the production of a large amount of lysophospholipids by PLase A2. It was concluded that degradation of membrane phospholipids occurs in the early stage of myocardial ischemia mainly in PC and PE, which are the major components of membrane phospholipids. This may be an expression of irreversible changes, and the activation of PLase C was considered to play an important role in their degradation.

Animals↗

Proton transfer in gramicidin water wires in phospholipid bilayers: attenuation by phosphoethanolamine.

The transfer of protons in water wires was studied in native gramicidin A (gA), and in the SS- and RR-diastereoisomers of dioxolane-linked gA channels (SS and RR channels). These peptides were incorporated into membranes comprised of distinct combinations of phospholipid headgroups and acyl chains. Quantitative relationships between single channel conductances to H+ (g(H)) and [H+] were determined in distinct phospholipid membranes, and are in remarkable contrast with results previously obtained in monoglyceride membranes. In particular: 1), g(H)-[H+] relationships for the various gA channels in distinct phospholipid membranes are well fitted by single adsorption isotherms. A simple kinetic model assuming mono-occupancy of channels by protons fits said relationships. This does not occur with monoglyceride membranes. 2), Under nonsaturating [H+], g(H) is approximately 1 order of magnitude larger in phospholipid than in monoglyceride membranes. 3), Differences between rates of H+ transfer in various gA channels are still present but considerably attenuated in phospholipid relative to monoglyceride membranes. 4), Charged phospholipid headgroups affect g(H) via changes in [H+] at the membrane/solution interfaces. 5), Phosphoethanolamine groups caused a marked attenuation of g(H) relative to membranes with other phospholipid headgroups. This attenuation is voltage-dependent and tends to saturate H+ currents at voltages larger than 250 mV. This effect is likely to occur by limiting the access and exit of H+ in and out of the channel due to relatively strong oriented H-bonds between waters and phosphoethanolamine groups at channel interfaces. The differential effects of phospholipids on proton transfer could be reasoned by considering solvation effects of side chain residues of gramicidin channels by double acyl chains and by the presence of polar headgroups facilitating the entrance/exit of protons through the channel mouths.

Ethanolamines↗

Isolation and characterization of whey phospholipids.

A freeze-dried whey powder was produced by microfiltration of Cheddar cheese whey. A 0.2-micron ceramic membrane in a stainless steel housing unit was used to concentrate components > 400 kDa present in the whey. The experimental whey powder, derived from Cheddar cheese whey, and a commercial whey powder were subjected to proximate analysis, lipid classes, phospholipid classes, and fatty acid compositional analyses. Commercial whey powder and commercial soybean lecithin were subjected to an alcohol fractionation procedure in an effort to alter the ratio of phosphatidyl choline to phosphatidyl ethanolamine and the functionality of dairy phospholipids. The fractionation procedure produced an alcohol-insoluble fraction containing 84% phosphatidyl ethanolamine, whereas the alcohol-soluble fraction resulted in a decrease in the phosphatidyl choline to phosphatidyl ethanolamine ratio. The commercial whey contained a higher ratio of phospholipids to neutral lipids compared with the experimental whey. The classes of phospholipids present within the two wheys were similar, whereas the experimental whey contained a phosphatidyl choline content twice that of the commercial whey, and the phospholipids composition of both wheys differed from the milk fat globule membrane. Comparison of the phospholipids and fatty acid composition of the wheys with the soy lecithin revealed that although the wheys were similar to each other, they differed from the soy lecithin in both the classes of phospholipids present and in the fatty acid composition. These compositional differences may influence the functionality of whey phospholipids.

Calcium↗

Diazepam treatment in rats induces changes in the concentrations of different phospholipid classes in liver and liver mitochondria.

Liver phospholipid concentrations were determined in rats after the administration of diazepam (5 mg/Kg/day), for a period of two months. Increased concentrations of total phospholipids (P < 0.05), phosphatidylcholine (P < 0.05) and phosphatidylinositol (P < 0.05) were found in the rats taking diazepam. In contrast, a decreased concentration of phosphatidylserine (P < 0.01) was observed in the same group of animals. In addition, changes in the concentration of rat liver mitochondrial phospholipids after the administration of diazepam during the same period of time were determined. Increased concentrations of total phospholipids (P < 0.01), phosphatidylcholine (P < 0.001) and diphosphatidylglycerol (P < 0.001) were found in the rats treated with diazepam. In contrast, decreased phosphatidylserine (P < 0.001) and phosphatidylinositol (P < 0.01) concentrations were observed in the same group of animals. The considerable changes observed in liver phospholipids and individual classes of liver mitochondrial phospholipids induced by long-term administration of diazepam, possibly suggest a stimulation of liver phospholipid biosynthesis. This effect may be related to enzymatic systems which are involved in phospholipid pathways, and are linked to benzodiazepinergic binding sites.

Administration, Oral↗

Head group-independent interaction of phospholipids with bile salts. A fluorescence and EPR study.

Bile salts are essential for phospholipid secretion into the bile. To study the relevance of the structure of phospholipids for their interaction with bile salts, we used spin-labeled or fluorescent phospholipid analogues of different head groups and acyl chain length. Those analogues form micelles in aqueous suspension. Their solubilization by bile salts resulting in the formation of mixed micelles was followed by the decrease of spin-spin interaction of spin-labeled analogues or by the relief of fluorescence self-quenching of (7-nitro-2-1,3-benzooxadiazol (NBD))-labeled analogues. Solubilization of analogue micelles occurred at and above the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the bile salts. As revealed by stopped-flow technique, solubilization of NBD-analogues was very rapid with half times as low as 0.1 sec above the CMC of taurocholate. Both kinetics and extent of solubilization were independent of the phospholipid head group, but were significantly affected by the fatty acid chain length. Furthermore, using vesicles with varying phospholipid composition and different types of analogues in self-quenching concentrations, we could show that bile salt-mediated vesicle solubilization depended on the fatty acid chain length of phospholipids. In contrast, neither for phospholipids nor for analogues could an influence of the lipid head group on the solubilization process be observed. These findings support a head group-independent mechanism of bile salt-mediated enrichment of specific phospholipids in the bile fluid.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

[Effect of alpha-tocopherol and phospholipids with omega-3 fatty acids on membrane properties].

As a result of the investigations conducted it was displayed, that alpha-tocopherol and phospholipids including into their composition omega-3-acids, differed in their influencing the composition of heart microsomes membranes lipids. The insufficient quantity of vitamin E in the animals ration was defined as leading to the cardiac microsomes lisophospholipids (lisophosphatidylcholin, lisophospatidylethanolamin), diphosphatidylglycerol increase as well as to the tendency to sphingomyeline and phosphatidylethanolamin decrease. While administrating both alpha-tocopherol and the complex of phospholipids with omega-3-fatty acids, the correction of the phospholipids composition microsomes membranes is observed as tending towards their stabilization, however the marine phospholipids complex is more active than alpha-tocopherol. Administration of phospholipids with omega-3-fatty acids during the period of 30 days provided for the increase of relationship: polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids in the cardiac microsomal membranes, evidencing about increasing the unsaturated cellular membranes. While administrating the phospholipids, into the cardiac microsomes the eicozepentaenic acid was identified, failing to be in the norm, docozahexaenic acid content increased. The results obtained testify, that at the pathology there are changes in the quantitative relationship of membrane phospholipids and fatty acids, being a result of changing the biomembranes permeability as well as their functions disturbances. The adverse effect of E-deficiency to the membrane structure was revealed as capable to be regulated by the marine phospholipid complex, including omega-3-fatty acids.

Animals↗

Low-salt diet alters the phospholipid composition of rat colonocytes.

The effect of low-salt diet on phospholipid composition and remodeling was examined in rat colon which represents a mineralocorticoid target tissue. To elucidate this question, male Wistar rats were fed a low-salt diet and drank distilled water (LS, low-salt group) or saline instead of water (HS, high-salt group) for 12 days before the phospholipid concentration and fatty acid composition of isolated colonocytes were examined. The dietary regimens significantly influenced the plasma concentration of aldosterone which was high in LS group and almost zero in HS group. Plasma concentration of corticosterone was unchanged. When expressed in terms of cellular protein content, a significantly higher concentration of phospholipids was found in LS group, with the exception of sphingomyelin (SM) and phosphatidylserine (PS). Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) accounted for more than 70% of total phospholipids in both groups. A comparison of phospholipid distribution in LS and HS groups demonstrated a higher percentage of PE and a small, but significant, decrease of PC and SM in LS group. The percentage of phosphatidylinositol (PI), PS and cardiolipin (CL) were not affected by mineralocorticoid treatment. With respect to the major phospholipids (PE, PC), a higher level of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were detected in PC of LS group. The increase of PUFA predominantly reflected an increase in arachidonic acid by 53%. In comparison to the HS group, oleic acid content was decreased in PC and PE isolated from colonocytes of the LS group. Our data indicate that alterations in phospholipid concentration and metabolism can be detected in rats with secondary hyperaldosteronism. The changes in phospholipid concentration and their fatty acid composition during fully developed effect of low dietary Na+ intake may reflect a physiologically important phenomenon with long-term consequences for membrane structure and function.

Aldosterone↗

Effects of abstinence from alcohol on the broad phospholipid signal in human brain: an in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

BACKGROUND: In vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) at a magnetic field strength of 1.5 T allows measurement of fairly mobile membrane phospholipids in the human brain. We previously showed that subjects who are heavy drinkers had a smaller signal and a shorter transverse relaxation time (T2) of white matter phospholipids than light drinkers, which suggested lower concentrations and molecular mobility of phospholipids in heavy drinkers. The purpose of the present study was to measure if such chronic alcohol-induced white matter tissue changes are persistent in long-term abstinent alcoholics. METHODS: Fourteen abstinent alcoholics (mean age 45 years, seven men and seven women) were studied by localized 31P MRS in the centrum semiovale and were compared with 13 male, alcohol-dependent, heavy drinkers and 23 nondependent light drinkers (17 men, 6 women) of similar age. Methods for measurements of the broad membrane phospholipid signal and its relaxation time were described previously. RESULTS: Phospholipid concentrations and relaxation times in alcoholics abstinent for an average of 31 months were not significantly different from those measured in light drinkers. The contribution of fast and slowly relaxing signal components to the broad phospholipid signal, however, was still different in abstinent alcoholics compared with light drinkers. No effects of sex or of family history of alcoholism were noted on any of our spectroscopic measures within the light-drinking or abstinent groups. CONCLUSIONS: Most of our results suggest at least partial recovery of chronic alcohol-induced white matter phospholipid damage with long-term abstinence. They offer myelination changes and/or dendritic rearborization as a possible mechanism for the commonly observed white matter volume gain with prolonged abstinence. But the results also suggest a persistent abnormality in the nature and/or physical properties of white matter phospholipids in long-term abstinent alcoholics.

Adult↗

Rapid synthesis and turnover of brain microsomal ether phospholipids in the adult rat.

The rates of synthesis, turnover, and half-lives were determined for brain microsomal ether phospholipids in the awake adult unanesthetized rat. A multicompartmental kinetic model of phospholipid metabolism, based on known pathways of synthesis, was applied to data generated by a 5 min intravenous infusion of [1,1-(3)H]hexadecanol. At 2 h post-infusion, 29%, 33%, and 31% of the total labeled brain phospholipid was found in the 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate, ethanolamine, and choline ether phospholipid fractions, respectively. Autoradiography and membrane fractionation showed that 3% of the net incorporated radiotracer was in myelin at 2 h, compared to 97% in gray matter microsomal and synaptosomal fractions. Based on evidence that ether phospholipid synthesis occurs in the microsomal membrane fraction, we calculated the synthesis rates of plasmanylcholine, plasmanylethanolamine, plasmenylethanolamine, and plasmenylcholine equal to 1.2, 9.3, 27.6, and 21.5 nmol. g(-1). min(-1), respectively. Therefore, 8% of the total brain ether phospholipids have half-lives of about 36.5, 26.7, 23.1, and 15.1 min, respectively. Furthermore, we clearly demonstrate that there are at least two pools of ether phospholipids in the adult rat brain. One is the static myelin pool with a slow rate of tracer incorporation and the other is a dynamic pool found in gray matter. The short half-lives of microsomal ether phospholipids and the rapid transfer to synaptosomes are consistent with evidence of the marked involvement of these lipids in brain signal transduction and synaptic function.

Animals↗

Control of salivary phospholipid content and composition.

The mediation of phospholipid secretion in rat sublingual salivary gland cells maintained in the presence of [3H]choline was investigated. The secretion of [3H]choline-containing phospholipids was enhanced by beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, to a greater extent than the cholinergic agonist carbachol. A 2.9-fold increase in phospholipid secretion occurred with isoproterenol, while carbachol evoked only about 1.3-fold increase. In contrast to carbachol, the enhanced phospholipid secretion due to isoproterenol was accompanied by an increase in cAMP concentration. The secretion of phospholipids was also stimulated by dibutyryl-cAMP and the protein kinase C activator, phorbol myristate acetate, but not by 4 alpha-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate which does not activate protein kinase C. Furthermore, the effects of dibutyryl-cAMP and phorbol myristate acetate were additive. The phospholipids secreted in response to isoproterenol exhibited a 52% decrease in lysophosphatidylcholine, while those secreted in response to carbachol showed a 23% lower content of phosphatidylcholine, and were enriched in lysophosphatidylcholine (2.8-fold) and sphingomyelin (1.4-fold). The results suggest that salivary phospholipid secretion remains mainly under beta-adrenergic control, while the phospholipid makeup is under cholinergic regulation.

Animals↗

Substrate specificity of neutral phospholipase D from rat brain studied by selective labeling of endogenous synaptic membrane phospholipids in vitro.

We have designed a novel approach for studying the specificity of neutral phospholipase D from rat brain synaptic plasma membranes for endogenous phospholipid substrates in native membranes. A procedure was established that provides synaptic membranes labeled in selected phospholipids. This labeling procedure exploits the presence of endogenous acyl-coenzyme A synthetase and acyl-coenzyme A:lysophospholipid acyltransferase in synaptosomes for acylating various lysophospholipid acceptors with radioactive fatty acid. With [3H]arachidonate for acylation and optimal concentrations of the respective lysophospholipids, membranes were labeled in either of the following phospholipids: phosphatidylcholine (93% of total label in phospholipids), 1-O-alkyl-phosphatidylcholine (87%), phosphatidylinositol (90%), phosphatidylethanolamine (85%), phosphatidylethanolamine-plasmalogen (81%) or phosphatidylserine (59%). These membranes were employed to study the substrate specificity of the neutral, oleate-activated rat brain phospholipase D. This phospholipase exhibited almost absolute specificity for the choline-phospholipids phosphatidylcholine and 1-O-alkyl-phosphatidylcholine: 0.34% of the former labeled substrate were transphosphatidylated to phosphatidylpropanol during the assay and 0.28% of the latter. Activity toward other phospholipids was barely detectable and could largely be accounted for by utilization of residual labeled phosphatidylcholine present in those preparations. The phospholipase D exhibited some preference for fatty acids in the C-2 position of phosphatidylcholine in the following order: 2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (0.67% of this labeled phosphatidylcholine were converted to phosphatidylpropanol), 2-myristoyl-phosphatidylcholine (0.60%), 2-palmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (0.46%) and 2-arachidonoyl-phosphatidylcholine (0.34%). The present approach of labeling membrane phospholipids in vitro could be useful in studies of phospholipase specificity as an alternative to the use of sonicated vesicles or mixed detergent-phospholipid micellar systems.

1-Acylglycerophosphocholine O-Acyltransferase↗