E. Klapisz et al., Sphingolipids and cholesterol modulate membrane susceptibility to cytosolic phospholipase A(2), J LIPID RES, 41(10), 2000, pp. 1680-1688
Modulation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) activity by sphingomye
lin (SPH), ceramide (Cer), and cholesterol (Chol) was investigated in CHO-2
B cells activated by the calcium ionophore A23187 and epinephrine. Chol dep
letion of CHO-2B cells by treatment with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (5 mM) re
sulted in the inhibition of the release of arachidonic acid whereas the res
toration of the level by Chol-loaded cyclodextrin relieved inhibition. Conv
ersion of CHO-2B cellular SPH to Cer by Staphylococcus aureus sphingomyelin
ase enhanced endogenous cPLA(2) activation as well as uptake by cells of C2
- and C6-ceramide analogs. These results were confirmed in vitro with purif
ied human recombinant cPLA(2) acting on a model phospholipid substrate. The
enzyme activity was inhibited by SPH but reactivated by Cer as well as by
Chol added to glycerophospholipid liposomal substrates containing SPH. The
results of this study, which combine in situ and in vitro experimental appr
oaches, indicate that membrane microdomains enriched in SPH and Chol play a
role in the modulation of the activity of cPLA(2) and in arachidonic acid-
derived mediator production.