Regulation of Cell Phospholipid Metabolism by Phospholipase A2

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA

Investigators

Abstract

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most abundant fat in the membranes that surround mammalian cells. This fat is absolutely essential for cell survival, as cells that cannot make PC are rapidly induced to undergo programmed cell death. Therefore, it is important for cells to maintain relatively constant levels of PC in their membranes. This is achieved through "homeostasis", a balance between the synthesis and degradation of PC. Many lines of evidence indicate that the synthesis of PC is controlled by a specific enzyme, CT. This research group has demonstrated that the degradation of PC may also be controlled by a specific enzyme, iPLA2. Therefore, experiments will be performed to determine if changes in the amount of PC in cell membranes induce compensatory changes in the amount of iPLA2 in mammalian cells. If this is the case, then the mechanism of the induction will be examined. Together, these studies should provide insight into a basic aspect of cell biology, the mechanisms that cells use to maintain their membranes.