The emerging role of group VI calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in releasing docosahexaenoic acid from brain phospholipids

• Main Authors: Joshua T. Green, Sarah K. Orr, Richard P. Bazinet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2008-05-01
• Series: Journal of Lipid Research
• Subjects: signaling; cyclooxygenase; lipoxygenase; docosanoid; neuroprotectin; uptake
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227520425805

Brain phospholipids are highly enriched in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). Recent advances indicate that 22:6n-3 is released from brain phospholipids via the action of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in response to several stimuli, including neurotransmission, where it then acts as a secondary messenger. Furthermore, it is now known that released 22:6n-3 is a substrate for several oxygenation enzymes whose products are potent signaling molecules. One emerging candidate PLA2 involved in the release of 22:6n-3 from brain phospholipids is the group VI calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2). After a brief review of brain 22:6n-3 metabolism, cell culture and rodent studies facilitating the hypothesis that group VI iPLA2 releases 22:6n-3 from brain phospholipids are discussed. The identification of PLA2s involved in cleaving 22:6n-3 from brain phospholipids could lead to the development of novel therapeutics for brain disorders in which 22:6n-3 signaling is disordered.