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The inhibition of diacylglycerol-stimulated intracellular phospholipases by phospholipids with a phosphocholine-containing polar group. A possible physiological role for sphingomyelin.

Phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase activated by diacylglycerol is substantially inhibited by all phospholipids containing a phosphocholine head group, including phosphatidylcholine, hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine, choline plasmalogen, lysophosphatidylcholine, lysocholine plasmalogen, sphingomyelin and sphingosylphosphocholine. The sphingosine-containing phospholipids are the most inhibitory. Phosphatidic acid does not inhibit, and phosphatidylethanolamine activates the hydrolysis still further. Sphingomyelin is highly inhibitory to a diacylglycerol-stimulated intestinal mucosal phospholipase A2, or a liver lysosomal phospholipase A1 + A2, both hydrolysing a phosphatidylcholine substrate. Sphingomyelin [20% molar (20 mol of sphingomyelin/80 mol of phosphatidylethanolamine)] activates phosphatidylethanolamine hydrolysis by intestinal mucosal phospholipase A2, and then at higher concentrations (40% molar) substantially inhibits the activity. The results are discussed in relation to possible molecular reorganizations brought about in the hydrated phospholipid substrate complex, and in particular the possible stabilizing role of sphingomyelin in the maintenance of membrane structure, and hence in the modulation of phospholipase activity.

Animals↗

Stimulation of phospholipase A2 and secretion of catecholamines from brain synaptosomes by potassium and A23187.

Potassium depolarization of rat brain synaptosomes (containing incorporated 1-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-[14C]oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine but not with incorporated [14C]phosphatidylethanolamine or [14C]phosphatidylserine. Inhibitors of phospholipase A2 [rho-bromo-phenacylbromide (10 microM), trifluoperazine (3 microM), and quinacrine (3 microM) 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 F2 alpha. 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. rho-Bromophenacylbromide inhibited the formation of prostaglandin F2 alpha. Addition of prostaglandin E2 inhibited, whereas prostaglandin F2 alpha 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.

Animals↗

Phospholipase activation and secretion: evidence that PLA2, PLC, and PLD are not essential to exocytosis.

Numerous studies have identified phospholipase metabolites as membrane fusogens, and phospholipase D (PLD) (J.R. Coorssen and R.J. Haslam. FEBS Lett. 316: 170-174, 1993), C (PLC), and A2 (PLA2) activities correlate with secretion. Do these enzymes have essential or modulatory roles? This study confirms that secretion does not require Ca2+ or PLC (Coorssen et al. Cell Regul. 1: 1027-1041, 1990). Arachidonic acid (AA), phosphatidic acid (PA) and analogues, exogenous metabolites of PLA2 and PLD, were tested in electropermeabilized human platelets. AA potentiated guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S)-induced secretion, and eicosanoids were not essential. Endogenous [3H]AA formation correlated with GTP gamma S-induced secretion, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) promoted these effects. Inhibitors were used to probe phospholipase influences on secretion. Only PLD inhibitors blocked secretion. However, PMA blocked inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) and secretion by quercetin, suggesting that PA formed by PLD supports PKC activation and GTP gamma S-induced secretion. Thus PA analogues had no effect alone but enhanced GTP gamma S-induced PKC activity and secretion. Slower PLD activation compared with secretion also indicates a nonessential role. This is the first report of a Ca(2+)-independent PLA2 activity in human platelets, use of quercetin as a PLD inhibitor, and dissociation of PLA2, PLC, and PLD activities from secretion. No major phospholipase activities are essential to the final steps in exocytosis, but modulatory roles are indicated.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Phospholipases introduced into the hypophase affect the surfactant film outlining a bubble.

The hypophase exchanger is a recently developed device that makes it possible to replace the liquid in the sample chamber of a pulsating bubble surfactometer, after a bubble has been formed, without changing the size of the bubble. A surfactant film outlining the bubble will retain its surface properties, provided the liquid entering the sample chamber and replacing the hypophase is inert. If, on the other hand, the new hypophase consists of a phospholipase solution, the physical properties of the film are seriously affected. It was found that when phospholipase C, even at low concentration, entered the sample chamber, the physical properties were significantly changed. Phospholipase A2 had to be added at a higher concentration to exert a similar effect. It is postulated that the site of action of phospholipase A2 may be partly protected in the hydrophobic region of the tightly packed surfactant film.

Animals↗

The Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaR) activates phospholipases C, A2, and D in bovine parathyroid and CaR-transfected, human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells.

The extracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+(o))-sensing receptor (CaR) is a G protein-coupled receptor that activates phospholipase C (PLC). In the present studies, we assessed Ca2+(o)-dependent changes in the generation of inositol phosphates (IP), free arachidonic acid (AA), and phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBtOH) by PLC, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and phospholipase D (PLD), respectively, in bovine parathyroid cells as well as in wild-type or CaR-transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells (HEK-WT and HEK-CaR, respectively). Elevated Ca2+(o) increased the formation of IPs in parathyroid cells as well in HEK-CaR but not in HEK-WT cells. High Ca2+(o) also elicited time- and dose-dependent increases in PtdBtOH in parathyroid cells and HEK-CaR but not in HEK-WT cells. Brief treatment of parathyroid and HEK-CaR cells with an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), phorbol 12-myristate,13-acetate (PMA), stimulated PLD activity at both low and high Ca2+(o). Moreover, high Ca2+(o)-stimulated PLD activity was abolished following down-regulation of PKC by overnight phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) pretreatment, suggesting that CaR-mediated activation of PLD depends largely upon stimulation of PKC. High Ca2+(o) likewise increased the release of free AA in parathyroid and HEK-CaR but not in HEK-WT cells. Mepacrine, a general PLA2 inhibitor, and AACOCF3, an inhibitor of cytosolic PLA2, reduced AA release in parathyroid cells at high Ca2+(o), suggesting a major role for PLA2 in high Ca2+(o)-elicited AA release. Pretreatment of parathyroid cells with PMA stimulated release of AA at low and high Ca2+(o), while a PKC inhibitor, chelerythrine, reduced AA release at high Ca2+(o) to the level observed with low Ca2+(o) alone. Thus, PKC contributes importantly to the high Ca2+(o)-evoked, CaR-mediated activation of not only PLD but also PLA2. Finally, high Ca2+(o)-stimulated production of IP, PtdBtOH, and AA all decreased substantially in parathyroid cells cultured for 4 days, in which expression of the CaR decreases by 80% or more, consistent with mediation of these effects by the receptor. Thus, the CaR activates, directly or indirectly, at least three phospholipases in bovine parathyroid and CaR-transfected HEK293 cells, providing for coordinate, receptor-mediated regulation of multiple signal transduction pathways in parathyroid and presumably other CaR-expressing cells.

Animals↗

Acyl chain specificity and kinetic properties of phospholipase A1 and A2 of bone marrow-derived macrophages.

The fatty acyl specificity of phospholipase A1 and A2 in homogenates of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages was determined using phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine of different acyl chain composition. Phosphatidylcholine with arachidonoyl at position 2 was cleaved preferentially by an alkaline phospholipase A2 (pH-optimum 9.0) leading to selective liberation of arachidonic acid. In contrast, phosphatidylcholines with oleoyl or linoleoyl at position 2 were degraded mainly by an acid phospholipase A1 (pH-optimum 4-5) resulting in a conservation of these fatty acids esterified in lysophosphatides. Substrate kinetics of the alkaline phospholipase A2 revealed a 30 fold higher affinity (Km = 3.8 X 10(-7) M) for 1-acyl-2-arachidonoyl-glycerophosphocholine compared to 1-acyl-2-oleoyl-glycerophosphocholine. The kinetic data were not influenced by endogenous lipids indicating that exogenous substrates do not equilibrate with cellular lipids. These results are suitable to explain a selective liberation of arachidonic acid from a mixture of phospholipids.

Animals↗

Differential activation of phospholipases during necrosis or apoptosis: a comparative study using tumor necrosis factor and anti-Fas antibodies.

Phospholipases generate important secondary messengers in several cellular processes, including cell death. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) can induce two distinct modes of cell death, viz. necrosis and apoptosis. Here we demonstrate that phospholipase D (PLD) and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) are differentially activated during TNF-induced necrosis or apoptosis. Moreover, a comparative study using TNF and anti-Fas antibodies as cell death stimuli showed that PLD and cPLA2 are specifically activated by TNF. These results indicate that both the mode of cell death and the type of death stimulus determine the potential role of phospholipases as generators of secondary messengers.

Animals↗

Substrate binding and catalytic mechanism in phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus: a molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics study.

For the first time a consistent catalytic mechanism of phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus is reported based on molecular mechanics calculations. We have identified the position of the nucleophilic water molecule, which is directly involved in the hydrolysis of the natural substrate phosphatidylcholine, in phospholipase C. This catalytically essential water molecule, after being activated by an acidic residue (Asp55), performs the nucleophilic attack on the phosphorus atom in the substrate, leading to a trigonal bipyramidal pentacoordinated intermediate (and structurally similar transition state). The subsequent collapse of the intermediate, regeneration of the enzyme, and release of the products has to involve a not yet identified second water molecule. The catalytic mechanism reported here is based on a series of molecular mechanics calculations. First, the x-ray structure of phospholipase C from B cereus including a docked substrate molecule was subjected to a stepwise molecular mechanics energy minimization. Second, the location of the nucleophilic water molecule in the active site of the fully relaxed enzyme-substrate complex was determined by evaluation of nonbonded interaction energies between the complex and a water molecule. The nucleophilic water molecule is positioned at a distance (3.8 A) from the phosphorus atom in the substrate, which is in good agreement with experimentally observed distances. Finally, the stability of the complex between phospholipase C, the substrate, and the nucleophilic water molecule was verified during a 100 ps molecular dynamics simulation. During the simulation the substrate undergoes a conformational change, but retains its localization in the active site. The contacts between the enzyme, the substrate, and the nucleophilic water molecule display some fluctuations, but remain within reasonable limits, thereby confirming the stability of the enzyme-substrate-water complex. The protocol developed for energy minimization of phospholipase C containing three zinc ions located closely together at the bottom of the active site cleft is reported in detail. In order to handle the strong electrostatic interactions in the active site realistically during energy minimization, delocalization of the charges from the three zinc ions was considered. Therefore, quantum mechanics calculations on the zinc ions and the zinc-coordinating residues were carried out prior to the molecular mechanics calculations, and two different sets of partial atomic charges (MNDO-Mulliken and AMI-ESP) were applied. After careful assignment of partial atomic charges, a complete energy minimization of the protein was carried out by a stepwise procedure without explicit solvent molecules. Energy minimization with either set of charges yielded structures, which were very similar both to the x-ray structure and to each other, although using AMI-ESP partial atomic charges and a dielectric constant of 4, yielded the best protein structure.

Bacillus cereus↗

Transacylase-mediated alkylacyl-GPC synthesis and its hydrolysis by phospholipase D occur in separate cell compartments in the human neutrophil.

Subcellular localizations of CoA-independent transacylase and phospholipase D enzymes have been investigated in human neutrophils performing a two-step gradient system to separate plasma membranes from internal membranes and from the bulk of granules. The internal membranes were constituted by endoplasmic reticulum and by a subpopulation of specific and tertiary granules. The enzymes activities were assayed in vitro on gradient fractions using exogenous substrates. Following cell prelabelling with [3H]alkyllyso-GPC, we also analyzed the in situ localization of labelled products involving the action of both enzymes. The CoA-independent transacylase activity, together with the CoA-dependent transacylase and acyltransferase activities were only located in the internal membranes. Following 15 min cell labelling, part of the [3H]alkylacyl-GPC was recovered in plasma membranes indicating a rapid redistribution of the acylated compound. Very high contents in arachidonate containing [3H]alkylacyl-GPC were recovered both in plasma membranes and internal membranes. Phospholipase D activity being assayed in the presence of cytosol, GTP gamma S and gradient fractions, only the plasma membrane fractions from resting or stimulated cells allowed the enzyme to be active. The [3H]alkylacyl-GP and [3H]alkylacyl-GPethanol, phospholipase D breakdown products from [3H]alkylacyl-GPC, obtained after neutrophil prelabelling and activation by phorbol myristate acetate, were exclusively present in the plasma membranes. In contrast, the secondary generated [3H]alkylacylglycerols were equally distributed between plasma and internal membranes. No labelled product was recovered on azurophil granules. These data demonstrate that internal membranes are the site of action of the CoA-independent transacylase and plasma membranes are the site of action of the phospholipase D. This topographical separation between CoA-independent transacylase which generated substrate and phospholipase D which degraded it, suggested that subcellular localisation and traffic of substrates within the cell can be important to regulate the enzymes.

Amidohydrolases↗

Protein kinases A and C positively regulate G protein-dependent activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.

The role(s) of protein kinases in the regulation of G protein-dependent activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C by tumor necrosis factor-alpha was investigated in the osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1. We have previously reported the stimulatory effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and A1F4-, an activator of G proteins, on this phospholipase pathway documented by a decrease in mass of PI and release of diacylglycerol. In this study, we further explored the mechanism(s) by which the tumor necrosis factor or A1F4(-)-promoted breakdown of phosphatidylinositol and the polyphosphoinositides by phospholipase C is regulated. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was found to elicit a 4-5-fold increase in the formation of [3H]inositol-1,4-phosphate and [3H]inositol-1,4,5-phosphate; and a 36% increase in [3H]inositol-1-phosphate within 5 min in prelabeled cells. [3H]inositol-4-phosphate, a metabolite of [3H]inositol-1,4-phosphate and [3H]inositol-1,4,5-phosphate, was found to be the predominant phosphoinositol product of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and A1F4(-)-activated phospholipase C hydrolysis after 30 min. In addition, the preincubation of cells with pertussis toxin decreased the tumor necrosis factor-induced release of inositol phosphates by 53%. Inhibitors of protein kinase C, including Et-18-OMe and H-7, dramatically decreased the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates stimulated by either tumor necrosis factor-alpha or A1F4- by 90-100% but did not affect basal formation. The activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, or protein kinase A, by the treatment of cells with forskolin or 8-BrcAMP augmented basal, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and A1F4(-)-induced [3H]inositol phosphate formation. Therefore, we report that protein kinases can regulate tumor necrosis factor-alpha-initiated signalling at the cell surface in osteoblasts through effects on the coupling between receptor, G-protein and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.

Aluminum Compounds↗

Phosphatidylinositol- and phosphatidylcholine-dependent phospholipases C are involved in the mechanism of action of atrial natriuretic factor in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

We have investigated the involvement of specific phospholipase systems and their possible mutual relationship with the mechanism by which atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) increases phosphatidate (PA) and diacylglycerol (DAG) in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC), one of the major targets of this hormone. Our results indicate that ANF initially stimulates a phosphatidylinositol-dependent phospholipase C (PI-PLC) with a significant increase of DAG, enriched in arachidonate, and inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and then a phosphatidylcholine-dependent phospholipase C (PC-PLC) with formation of DAG, enriched in myristate, and phosphocholine (Pcho). Moreover, ANF stimulates PA formation at an intermediate stage between early and late DAG formation. The transphosphatidylation reaction, as well as its labeling ratio, demonstrate that phosphatidylcholine-dependent phospholipase D (PC-PLD) is not involved. Our experiments with R59022, a DAG kinase (DAGK) inhibitor, indicate that such an increase may be due to the phosphorylation of DAG derived from phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis. Our results show that phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA) plays a significant role in late DAG formation and that Pcho is released concomitantly, suggesting there is a relationship between the two phospholipase Cs (PLCs) that occurs through a protein kinase C (PKC) translocation from cytosol to the plasma membrane. These findings are confirmed by the use of PKC inhibitors calphostin, H7, and staurosporine. The involvement of membrane phospholipid hydrolysis and the ensuing production of second messengers might explain the vasorelaxant effect of ANF.

Animals↗

Activation of follicle cell surface phospholipase by tyrosine kinase dependent pathway is an essential event in Ascidian fertilization.

Eggs of Ascidia ceratodes and Phallusia mammillata block polyspermy by releasing a phosphatidylinositol-linked glycosidase from the follicle cell and egg surface that binds to and blocks all unoccupied sperm binding sites on the vitelline coat. Release of this glycosidase is thought to be under the control of a membrane-bound phospholipase. To elucidate the mechanism of phospholipase activation, intact eggs and isolated follicle cells are activated by either sperm or the tyrosine kinase activator 9, 10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA). Both treatments caused release of comparable quantities of glycosidase activity, the earliest event following fertilization. A corresponding increase in phospholipase activity accompanied this glycosidase release. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein blocked release by DMBA at concentrations as low as 1 microM, but had no effect on sperm-induced release even when used up to 100 microM. Tyrphostin A23, another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, when used at 200 microM blocked glycosidase release and decreased phospholipase activity following both DMBA activation and fertilization. Western blot analysis probing for phosphotyrosine content of disrupted intact eggs with their follicle cells revealed the absence of a band in tyrphostin-treated eggs corresponding to a 40 kDa protein that was present in both unfertilized and fertilized egg samples. Based on these results, we propose that phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues is necessary for phospholipase activation and is sufficient to trigger subsequent glycosidase release.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Interleukin-1 stimulation of phospholipase activity in rat synovial fibroblasts. Possible regulation by cyclooxygenase products.

Tritiated arachidonic acid (3H-AA)-labeled rat synovial fibroblasts stimulated with human recombinant interleukin-1 beta (rIL-1 beta) released incorporated radiolabel in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner, with labeled prostaglandins representing 29% of the released radiolabel. Treatment of the cells with dibutyryl cAMP or prostaglandin E2 enhanced both spontaneous and rIL-1 beta-induced 3H-AA release; treatment with indomethacin or naproxen inhibited the response. The effects of these cyclooxygenase inhibitors on 3H-AA release were not reversed by the addition of prostaglandin E2. The activities of phospholipase A, phospholipase C, and diglyceride lipase were detected in the homogenates of rat synovial fibroblasts. Pretreatment of synovial cells with rIL-1 beta resulted in a threefold stimulation of phospholipase A activity and a slight increase in phospholipase C activity in cell homogenates. These data show that rIL-1 beta stimulates phospholipase activities in rat synovial fibroblasts and that at least one of these activities may be regulated by either prostaglandins or cAMP.

Animals↗

Selective phospholipase C activation.

Phospholipase C is a family of cellular proteins believed to play a significant role in the intracellular signaling mechanisms utilized by diverse hormones. One class of hormones, polypeptide growth factors, elicits its influence on cellular function through stimulation of cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Certain growth factors appear to stimulate cellular phospholipase C activity by selective, receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the phospholipase C-gamma 1 isozyme. While the role of phospholipase C activity in growth factor regulation of cell proliferation remains to be clarified, the selective growth factor-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of phospholipase C-gamma 1 is an interesting example of enzyme-substrate interaction at the crossroads of two important intracellular signaling pathways.

Cell Division↗

Receptor-mediated phospholipase D activity in primary astroglial cultures.

Phospholipase D, an enzyme involved in signal transduction cascades, catalyses the formation of phosphatidic acid and, when ethanol is present, the formation of phosphatidylethanol. In the present study we demonstrate that stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors as well as P2-purinergic receptors induces activation of phospholipase D in primary cultures of astroglial cells. Both the hydrolysis and the transphosphatidylation reactions were stimulated by receptor agonists. Carbachol and ATP induced a rapid increase in the amount of [3H]phosphatidic acid in astroglial cells prelabelled with [3H]oleic acid. When ethanol (150 mM) was present, phosphatidylethanol was formed. Furthermore, the receptor-mediated increase in the concentration of phosphatidic acid was inhibited by ethanol, indicating that the phosphatidic acid production was indeed mediated by phospholipase D. The formation of phosphatidylethanol was concentration dependent, with a half-maximal effective concentration of 5 x 10(-5) M for carbachol and 10(-5) M for ATP. The carbachol-induced response was almost completely inhibited by atropine, indicating activation of phospholipase D via muscarinic receptors. The purinergic response is most probably mediated via P2-receptors since ADP was almost as efficient as ATP in inducing phosphatidylethanol formation, whereas AMP was significantly less potent. We conclude that astroglial cells in primary culture display muscarinic and purinergic receptors coupled to phospholipase D. The relationship to cell function needs to be further investigated.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Biliary phospholipases in the prairie dog model for cholesterol cholelithiasis.

Lysolecithin has been implicated as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of cholecystitis and cholesterol cholelithiasis. The phospholipases are key enzymes in the generation of a number of metabolites including lysolecithin, but conflicting reports exist concerning the presence of these enzymes in the biliary tract. In this study, measurement of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase activity by means of the hydrolysis of radiolabeled phosphatidylcholine (100 nmol) by 90 micrograms of homogenate protein during a 60-min incubation demonstrated substantial enzyme activities in gastric fundus and distal ileum (90% and 70% hydrolysis, respectively), whereas activity was virtually undetectable in gallbladder mucosa (0.7% hydrolysis). Additional studies were conducted in prairie dogs fed diets high in cholesterol or with trace amounts of cholesterol using homogenates of gallbladder mucosa, seromuscularis and full-thickness tissue, as well as samples of hepatic and gallbladder bile. The only hydrolytic activity in excess of blank values that was detected was a highly variable phospholipase A2 activity in several gallbladder biles from animals given diets with both low levels and high levels of cholesterol, with the enzyme activities of the two dietary groups being similar. These results demonstrate that prairie dog gallbladder contains extremely low levels of phospholipase activity, in marked contrast to other gastrointestinal tissues. However, there was evidence of a phospholipase A2 activity in gallbladder bile. In light of the low activity in gallbladder tissue, the source of this enzyme appears to be the liver and not the gallbladder.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Mechanical stimulation of skeletal muscle generates lipid-related second messengers by phospholipase activation.

Repetitive mechanical stimulation of cultured avian skeletal muscle increases the synthesis of prostaglandins (PG) E2 and F2 alpha which regulate protein turnover rates and muscle cell growth. These stretch-induced PG increases are reduced in low extracellular calcium medium and by specific phospholipase inhibitors. Mechanical stimulation increases the breakdown rate of 3H-arachidonic acid labelled phospholipids, releasing free 3H-arachidonic acid, the rate-limiting precursor of PG synthesis. Mechanical stimulation also increases 3H-arachidonic acid labelled diacylglycerol formation and intracellular levels of inositol phosphates from myo-[2-3H]inositol labelled phospholipids. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PLC), and phospholipase D (PLD) are all activated by stretch. The stretch-induced increases in PG production, 3H-arachidonic acid labelled phospholipid breakdown, and 3H-arachidonic acid labelled diacylglycerol formation occur independently of cellular electrical activity (tetrodotoxin insensitive) whereas the formation of inositol phosphates from myo-[2-3H]inositol labelled phospholipids is dependent on cellular electrical activity. These results indicate that mechanical stimulation increases the lipid-related second messengers arachidonic acid, diacylglycerol, and PG through activation of specific phospholipases such as PLA2 and PLD, but not by activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC.

Animals↗

Phospholipase activity of sea urchin sperm: its possible involvement in membrane fusion.

Phospholipase activity of egg-water treated Arbacia punctulata and Lytechinus variegatus sperm was shown to result from the sequential action of phospholipase A and lysophospholipase. A transient burst of phospholipase A activity followed induction of the acrosome reaction with egg water. The time of appearance suggested an acrosomal localization of the enzyme. The peak activity of phospholipase A correlated with initiation of sperm-egg fusion, suggesting a role for sea urchin sperm phospholipase A in membrane fusion and/or egg activation during fertilization.

Acrosome↗