Phospholipase A2s in Cell Injury and Death
- 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas (B.S.C., R.G.S.); and2Department of Pathology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (J.M.)
Abstract
Phospholipase A2s (PLA2s) represent a family of esterases that hydrolyze the sn-2 ester bond in phospholipids, releasing free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. PLA2s are important in the signaling of several cellular processes and are known to play a significant role in inflammation. Studies also show that PLA2s are modulators of drug-, chemical-, and ischemia/reperfusion-induced cellular injury. The role of PLA2s in apoptosis and oncosis depends upon the PLA2 isoform, the cell type, and the stimulus of injury. The purpose of this review is to discuss the functions of iPLA2, cPLA2 and sPLA2 isoforms in oncosis and apoptosis, including oxidant-induced and receptor-mediated cell death. In addition, the measurement and modulation of PLA2 is discussed.
Footnotes
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Send reprint requests to: Dr. Rick G. Schnellmann, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 Markham St., Slot 638, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199. E-mail: rschnell{at}biomed.uams.edu
- Abbreviations:
- PLA2
- phospholipase A2
- AACOCF3
- arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone
- BEL
- bromoenol lactone
- TNFα
- tumor necrosis factor α
- PKC
- protein kinase C
- PKA
- protein kinase A
- MAPK
- mitogen-activated protein kinase
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- Received January 3, 2000.
- Accepted March 15, 2000.
- The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
