Publications

• Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolases: broad substrate specificity and lipoprotein binding does not modulate the catalytic properties of the plasma enzyme.

  Min J.H., Wilder C., Aoki J., Arai H., Inoue K., Paul L., Gelb M.H.

  Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolases (PAF-AHs) are a group of enzymes that hydrolyze the sn-2 acetyl ester of PAF (phospholipase A(2) activity) but not phospholipids with two long fatty acyl groups. Our previous studies showed that membrane-bound human plasma PAF-AH (pPAF-AH) accesses its s ... >> More

  Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolases (PAF-AHs) are a group of enzymes that hydrolyze the sn-2 acetyl ester of PAF (phospholipase A(2) activity) but not phospholipids with two long fatty acyl groups. Our previous studies showed that membrane-bound human plasma PAF-AH (pPAF-AH) accesses its substrate only from the aqueous phase, which raises the possibility that this enzyme can hydrolyze a variety of lipid esters that are partially soluble in the aqueous phase. Here we show that pPAF-AH has broad substrate specificity in that it hydrolyzes short-chain diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, and acetylated alkanols, and displays phospholipase A(1) activity. On the basis of all of the substrate specificity results, it appears that the minimal structural requirement for a good pPAF-AH substrate is the portion of a glyceride derivative that includes an sn-2 ester and a reasonably hydrophobic chain in the position occupied by the sn-1 chain. In vivo, pPAF-AH is bound to high and low density lipoproteins, and we show that the apparent maximal velocity for this enzyme is not influenced by lipoprotein binding and that the enzyme hydrolyzes tributyroylglycerol as well as the recombinant pPAF-AH does. Broad substrate specificity is also observed for the structurally homologous PAF-AH which occurs intracellularly [PAF-AH(II)] as well as for the PAF-AH from the lower eukaryote Physarum polycephalum although pPAF-AH and PAF-AH(II) tolerate the removal of the sn-3 headgroup better than the PAF-AH from P. polycephalum does. In contrast, the intracellular PAF-AH found in mammalian brain [PAF-AH(Ib) alpha 1/alpha 1 and alpha 2/alpha 2 homodimers] is more selectively operative on compounds with a short acetyl chain although this enzyme also displays significant phospholipase A(1) activity. << Less

  Biochemistry 40:4539-4549(2001) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Anti-inflammatory properties of a platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase.

  Tjoelker L.W., Wilder C., Eberhardt C., Stafforini D.M., Dietsch G., Schimpf B., Hooper S., le Trong H., Cousens L.S., Zimmerman G.A., Yamada Y., McIntyre T.M., Prescott S.M., Gray P.W.

  Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent pro-inflammatory phospholipid that activates cells involved in inflammation. The biological activity of PAF depends on its structural features, namely an ether linkage at the sn-1 position and an acetate group at the sn-2 position. The actions of PAF ar ... >> More

  Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent pro-inflammatory phospholipid that activates cells involved in inflammation. The biological activity of PAF depends on its structural features, namely an ether linkage at the sn-1 position and an acetate group at the sn-2 position. The actions of PAF are abolished by hydrolysis of the acetyl residue, a reaction catalysed by PAF acetylhydrolase. There are at least two forms of this enzyme--one intracellular and another that circulates in plasma and is likely to regulate inflammation. Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of the human plasma PAF acetylhydrolase. The unique sequence contains a Gly-Xaa-Ser-Xaa-Gly motif commonly found in lipases. Recombinant PAF acetylhydrolase has the substrate specificity and lipoprotein association of the native enzyme, and blocks inflammation in vivo: it markedly decreases vascular leakage in pleurisy and paw oedema, suggesting that PAF acetylhydrolase might be a useful therapy for severe acute inflammation. << Less

  Nature 374:549-553(1995) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 1 other entry.

• Targeted disruption of the murine lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase gene is associated with reductions in plasma paraoxonase and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activities but not in apolipoprotein J concentration.

  Forte T.M., Oda M.N., Knoff L., Frei B., Suh J., Harmony J.A., Stuart W.D., Rubin E.M., Ng D.S.

  Lecithin:cholesteryl acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency resulting from targeted disruption of the Lcat gene in the mouse is associated with dramatic decreases in HDL concentration and the accumulation of nascent HDL in the plasma. We examined whether LCAT deficiency in mice is associated with a con ... >> More

  Lecithin:cholesteryl acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency resulting from targeted disruption of the Lcat gene in the mouse is associated with dramatic decreases in HDL concentration and the accumulation of nascent HDL in the plasma. We examined whether LCAT deficiency in mice is associated with a concomitant decrease in two antioxidative enzymes, paraoxonase (PON) and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH). In control Lcat (+/+) mice both these enzymes are transported on HDL. Compared to Lcat (+/+) mice, HDL-cholesterol is reduced 94% and apoA-I, 90%, in Lcat (-/-) mice; this reduction in HDL is paralleled by a 71% decrease in PAF-AH activity and in a 58% decrease in PON activity. Apolipoprotein J (apoJ) levels, rather than being decreased, were significantly (P = 0.01) higher (36%) in Lcat (-/-) than in Lcat (+/+) mice, and the apo J/PON ratio was 3-fold greater in Lcat (-/-) than in Lcat (+/+) animals. Even though apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) concentration and PON activity were drastically reduced, there was no reduction in apoA-I and PON liver mRNA levels suggesting that post-transcriptional events are responsible for the reduction of plasma PON and apoA-I levels. Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) revealed that in Lcat (+/+) mice both PON and PAF-AH activity is associated with large, apoA-I-containing HDL particles (9.7 nm by non-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) while in Lcat (-/-) mice both enzymes are associated with small 8.2 nm particles. We conclude that the concomitant reduction in HDL and apoA-I concentrations and PON and PAF-AH activities is best explained by rapid clearance of the small HDL particles found in LCAT deficiency. << Less

  J. Lipid Res. 40:1276-1283(1999) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH).

  Arai H., Koizumi H., Aoki J., Inoue K.

  Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is one of the most potent lipid messengers involved in a variety of physiological events. The acetyl group at the sn-2 position of its glycerol backbone is essential for its biological activity, and its deacetylation induces loss of activity. The deacetylation reac ... >> More

  Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is one of the most potent lipid messengers involved in a variety of physiological events. The acetyl group at the sn-2 position of its glycerol backbone is essential for its biological activity, and its deacetylation induces loss of activity. The deacetylation reaction is catalyzed by PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH). A series of biochemical and enzymological evaluations revealed that at least three types of PAF-AH exist in mammals, namely the intracellular types I and II and a plasma type. Type I PAF-AH is a G-protein-like complex consisting of two catalytic subunits (alpha1 and alpha2) and a regulatory beta subunit. The beta subunit is a product of the LIS1 gene, mutations of which cause type I lissencephaly. Recent studies indicate that LIS1/beta is important in cellular functions such as induction of nuclear movement and control of microtubule organization. Although substantial evidence is accumulating supporting the idea that the catalytic subunits are also involved in microtubule function, it is still unknown what role PAF plays in the process and whether PAF is an endogenous substrate of this enzyme. Type II PAF-AH is a single polypeptide and shows significant sequence homology with plasma PAF-AH. Type II PAF-AH is myristoylated at the N-terminus and like other N-myristoylated proteins is distributed in both the cytosol and membranes. Plasma PAF-AH is also a single polypeptide and exists in association with plasma lipoproteins. Type II PAF-AH as well as plasma PAF-AH may play a role as a scavenger of oxidized phospholipids which are thought to be involved in diverse pathological processes, including disorganization of membrane structure and PAF-like proinflammatory action. In this review, we will focus on the structures and possible biological functions of intracellular PAF-AHs. << Less

  J Biochem 131:635-640(2002) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Plasma platelet activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH).

  Karasawa K., Harada A., Satoh N., Inoue K., Setaka M.

  The platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is an enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetyl ester at the sn-2 position of PAF. The family of PAF-AHs consists of two intracellular isoforms (Ib and II), and one secreted isoform (plasma). These PAF-AHs show different biochemical cha ... >> More

  The platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is an enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetyl ester at the sn-2 position of PAF. The family of PAF-AHs consists of two intracellular isoforms (Ib and II), and one secreted isoform (plasma). These PAF-AHs show different biochemical characteristics and molecular structures. Plasma PAF-AH and intracellular isoform, II degrade not only PAF but also oxidatively fragmented phospholipids with potent biological activities. Among these PAF-AHs, plasma PAF-AH has been the target of many clinical studies in inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, sepsis, and vascular diseases, because the plasma PAF-AH activity in the patients with these diseases is altered when compared with normal individuals. Finding a genetic deficiency in the plasma PAF-AH opened the gate in elucidating the protecting role of this enzyme in inflammatory diseases. The most common loss-of-function mutation, V279F, is found in more than 30% of Japanese subjects (4% homozygous, 27% heterozygous). This single nucleotide polymorphism in plasma PAF-AH and the resulting enzymatic deficiency is thought to be a genetic risk factor in various inflammatory diseases in Japanese subjects. Administration of recombinant plasma PAF-AH or transfer of the plasma PAF-AH gene improves pathology in animal models. Therefore, substitution of plasma PAF-AH would be an effective in the treatment of the patients with the inflammatory diseases and a novel clinical approach. In addition, the detection of polymorphisms in the plasma PAF-AH gene and abnormalities in enzyme activity would be beneficial in the diagnosis of the inflammatory diseases. << Less

  Prog Lipid Res 42:93-114(2003) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Hydrolysis and transesterification of platelet-activating factor by lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase.

  Liu M., Subbaiah P.V.

  Purified lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT, EC 2.3.1.43) from human plasma was found to hydrolyze platelet-activating factor (PAF) to lyso-PAF and acetate. In addition, it catalyzed the transfer of the acetate group from PAF to lysophosphatidylcholine, forming lyso-PAF and a 1-acyl analog ... >> More

  Purified lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT, EC 2.3.1.43) from human plasma was found to hydrolyze platelet-activating factor (PAF) to lyso-PAF and acetate. In addition, it catalyzed the transfer of the acetate group from PAF to lysophosphatidylcholine, forming lyso-PAF and a 1-acyl analog of PAF. In contrast to the cholesterol-esterification reaction carried out by the enzyme, the hydrolysis and transacetylation of PAF by LCAT did not require an apoprotein activator and were not inhibited by sulfhydryl inhibitors but were inhibited by serum albumin. When added to a proteoliposome substrate of LCAT or to whole plasma, PAF inhibited cholesterol esterification by LCAT competitively. PAF acetylhydrolase (EC 3.1.1.47), purified from human plasma, also catalyzed the transfer of acetate from PAF to lysophosphatidylcholine. However, the LCAT-catalyzed reactions of PAF were not due to contamination with PAF acetylhydrolase, since the ratio of acetyl transfer to acetyl hydrolysis was 3 times greater for LCAT, when compared with PAF acetylhydrolase under identical conditions. Furthermore, recombinant human LCAT secreted by baby hamster kidney cells also catalyzed the hydrolysis and transacetylation of PAF. These results demonstrate that LCAT can inactivate PAF in plasma by transacetylation and suggest that it may have a role in the metabolism of PAF, and possibly of oxidized phospholipids, in plasma. << Less

  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91:6035-6039(1994) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 1 other entry.

• Molecular basis of the interaction between plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase and low density lipoprotein.

  Stafforini D.M., Tjoelker L.W., McCormick S.P., Vaitkus D., McIntyre T.M., Gray P.W., Young S.G., Prescott S.M.

  The platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolases are enzymes that were initially characterized by their ability to hydrolyze platelet-activating factor (PAF). In human plasma, PAF acetylhydrolase (EC 3.1.1.47) circulates in a complex with low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins ... >> More

  The platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolases are enzymes that were initially characterized by their ability to hydrolyze platelet-activating factor (PAF). In human plasma, PAF acetylhydrolase (EC 3.1.1.47) circulates in a complex with low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). This association defines the physical state of PAF acetylhydrolase, confers a long half-life, and is a major determinant of its catalytic efficiency in vivo. The lipoprotein-associated enzyme accounts for all of the PAF hydrolysis in plasma but only two-thirds of the protein mass. To characterize the enzyme-lipoprotein interaction, we employed site-directed mutagenesis techniques. Two domains within the primary sequence of human PAF acetylhydrolase, tyrosine 205 and residues 115 and 116, were important for its binding to LDL. Mutation or deletion of those sequences prevented the association of the enzyme with lipoproteins. When residues 115 and 116 from human PAF acetylhydrolase were introduced into mouse PAF acetylhydrolase (which normally does not associate with LDL), the mutant mouse PAF acetylhydrolase associated with lipoproteins. To analyze the role of apolipoprotein (apo) B100 in the formation of the PAF acetylhydrolase-LDL complex, we tested the ability of PAF acetylhydrolase to bind to lipoproteins containing truncated forms of apoB. These studies indicated that the carboxyl terminus of apoB plays a key role in the association of PAF acetylhydrolase with LDL. These data on the molecular basis of the PAF acetylhydrolase-LDL association provide a new level of understanding regarding the pathway for the catabolism of PAF in human blood. << Less

  J. Biol. Chem. 274:7018-7024(1999) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Cloning and expression of cDNA encoding rat liver 60-kDa lysophospholipase containing an asparaginase-like region and ankyrin repeat.

  Sugimoto H., Odani S., Yamashita S.

  Mammalian tissues contain small form and large form lysophospholipases. Here we report the cloning, sequence, and expression of cDNA encoding the latter form of lysophospholipase using antibody raised against the enzyme purified from rat liver supernatant (Sugimoto, H., and Yamashita, S. (1994) J. ... >> More

  Mammalian tissues contain small form and large form lysophospholipases. Here we report the cloning, sequence, and expression of cDNA encoding the latter form of lysophospholipase using antibody raised against the enzyme purified from rat liver supernatant (Sugimoto, H., and Yamashita, S. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 6252-6258). The 2,539-base pair cDNA encoded 564 amino acid residues with a calculated Mr of 60,794. The amino-terminal two-thirds of the deduced amino acid sequence significantly resembled Escherichia coli asparaginase I with the putative asparaginase catalytic triad Thr-Asp-Lys and was followed by leucine zipper motif. The carboxyl-terminal region carried ankyrin repeat. When the cDNA was transfected into HEK293 cells, not only lysophospholipase activity but also asparaginase and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activities were expressed. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that the transcript occurred at high levels in liver and kidney but was hardly detectable in lung and heart from which large form lysophospholipases had been purified, suggesting the presence of multiple forms of large form lysophospholipase in mammalian tissues. << Less

  J. Biol. Chem. 273:12536-12542(1998) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 3 other entries.