title: Regulation of the specific release of arachidonic acid by cytosolic phospholipase A2.
abstract: Cytosolic phospholipase A(2) alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) is the only PLA(2) that exhibits specificity for sn-2 arachidonic acid consistent with its primary role in mediating the agonist-induced release of arachidonic acid for eicosanoid production. It is subject to complex mechanisms of regulation that ensure that levels of free arachidonic acid are tightly controlled. The calcium-induced translocation of cPLA(2)alpha from the cytosol to membrane regulates its interaction with phospholipid substrate. cPLA(2)alpha is additionally regulated by phosphorylation on sites in the catalytic domain. Because of its central position as the upstream regulatory enzyme for initiating production of several classes of bioactive lipid mediators (leukotrienes, prostaglandins and platelet-activating factor), it is a potentially important pharmacological target for the control of inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Program in Cell Biology, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson St., Denver, CO 80206, USA. lesliec@njc.org
authors.forename: Christina C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Leslie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism*; D054467:Phospholipases A2
chemical_list: D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2