title: Phospholipase A2 in astrocytes: responses to oxidative stress, inflammation, and G protein-coupled receptor agonists.
abstract: Astrocytes comprise the major cell type in the central nervous system (CNS) and they are essential for support of neuronal functions by providing nutrients and regulating cell-to-cell communication. Astrocytes also are immune-like cells that become reactive in response to neuronal injury. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are a family of ubiquitous enzymes that degrade membrane phospholipids and produce lipid mediators for regulating cellular functions. Three major classes of PLA2 are expressed in astrocytes: group IV calcium-dependent cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2), group VI calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2), and group II secretory PLA2(sPLA2). Upregulation of PLA2 in reactive astrocytes has been shown to occur in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including stroke and Alzheimer's disease. This review focuses on describing the effects of oxidative stress, inflammation, and activation of G protein-coupled receptors on PLA2 activation, arachidonic acid (AA) release, and production of prostanoids in astrocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA. sung@health.missouri.edu
authors.forename: Grace Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jianfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: W Gibson
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Fernando A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simonyi
authors.forename: Albert Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Gary A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Weisman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000201:enzymology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism*; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2