title: Phospholipase participation in cannabinoid-induced release of free arachidonic acid.
abstract: The exposure of cells in culture to cannabinoids results in a rapid and significant mobilization of phospholipid bound arachidonic acid. In vivo, this effect has been observed as a rise in eicosanoid tissue levels that may account for some of the pharmacological actions of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive cannabinoid. Fluoroaluminate pretreatment of mouse peritoneal cells potently reduced the cannabinoid response, while promoting arachidonate release on its own, consistent with earlier observations that this effect may be a receptor/G-protein-mediated process. Further support for receptor mediation was the demonstration of saturable, high-affinity cannabinoid binding in these cells. THC potency was reduced in the presence of ethanol, and was accompanied by significant increases in phosphatidylethanol (PdEt) levels, a unique product of phospholipase D (PLD) activity. THC-dependent arachidonate release was reduced partially in similar amounts by either propranolol or wortmannin, further implicating PLD as a mediator of THC action. A central role for diacylglyceride (DAG), a secondary product of PLD metabolism, in this THC-induced process, both as a source of arachidonate and as a stimulator of protein kinase C (PKC), is supported by the data in this report. Cells exposed to phorbol ester for 18 hr prior to THC challenge became less responsive, indicating a possible role for PKC. The involvement of PKC further suggests participation by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) whose activity may be regulated by the former. Treatment of cells with interleukin-1 alpha, an agent known to elevate PLA2 levels, caused an increase in the THC response, supporting a role for this enzyme in the release reaction. Direct evidence, by immunoblotting, for the activation and phosphorylation of PLA2 by THC was also obtained. In summary, the evidence presented in this report indicates that THC-induced arachidonic acid release occurs through a series of events that are consistent with a receptor-mediated process involving the stimulation of one or more phospholipases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burstein
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Budrow
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Debatis
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Subramanian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D010739:Phospholipase D / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism*; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D008024:Ligands; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D013759:Dronabinol; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D010739:Phospholipase D