The emerging roles of PAF acetylhydrolase.
Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a phospholipid autacoid with potent effects throughout the innate immune system, is selectively degraded by two small families of PAF acetylhydrolases (PAF-AHs). These Ca2+-independent phospholipases A2 display remarkable specificity for the length of the sn-2 residue, but this selectivity is lost as the residue gains oxygen functions. Two of the PAF-AHs therefore are specific oxidized phospholipid phospholipases that reduce inflammation, but also remove oxidatively truncated phospholipids that induce apoptosis. The roles of these enzymes are manifold, and their separate and combined functions are now being addressed in model systems and clinical studies.
Department of Cell Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. mcintyt@ccf.org
Thomas M
TM
McIntyre
Stephen M
SM
Prescott
Diana M
DM
Stafforini
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D013379:Substrate Specificity
D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase