The secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) family is a group of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of glycerophospholipids at the sn-2 position, generating free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. The sPLA2 family has been implicated in various physiological and pathological activities. Eleven sPLA2’s have been identified in mammals, and the function of each isoform likely reflects its tissue distribution and substrate specificity. Studies in vitro indicate that Group X (GX) sPLA2 potently releases arachidonic acid (AA) and lysophosphatidylcholine from mammalian cell membranes. Interestingly, some of the biological effects mediated by GX sPLA2 in vitro are independent of its catalytic activity. Despite a wealth of in vitro data, the in vivo function of GX sPLA2 still remains to be elucidated. In order to define the function of GX sPLA2 in vivo, our laboratory recently generated C57BL/6 mice with targeted deletion of GX sPLA2 (GX-/- mice). When fed a normal rodent diet, GX-/- mice gained significantly more weight and had increased adiposity compared to GX+/+ mice, which was not attributable to alterations in food consumption or energy expenditure. When treated with adipogenic stimuli ex vivo, stromal vascular cells isolated from adipose tissue of GX-/- mice accumulated significantly more (20%) triglyceride compared to cells from GX+/+ mice. Conversely, overexpression of GX sPLA2, but not catalytically inactive GX sPLA2, resulted in a significant 50% reduction in triglyceride accumulation in OP9 adipocytes. The induction of adipogenic genes, including PPAR-γ, SREBP-1c, SCD-1 and FAS was also significantly blunted by 50-80% in OP9 cells overexpressing GX sPLA2. Activation of the liver X receptor (LXR), a nuclear receptor known to upregulate adipogenic gene expression, was suppressed in 3T3-L1 and OP9 cells when GX sPLA2 was overexpressed. Thus, hydrolytic products generated by GX sPLA2 negatively regulate adipogenesis, possibly by suppressing LXR activation.

Group X secretory phospholipase A2 (GX sPLA2) hydrolyzes membrane phospholipids producing free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. Previous studies from our lab suggest that mice with targeted deletion of GX sPLA2 (GX KO) have increased age-related weight gain due to an increase in overall adiposity. Paradoxically, this increased adiposity is associated with improved age-related glucose intolerance. GX KO mice also demonstrate a reduced inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide injection. In vitro studies indicate this phenotype may be attributable to blunted macrophage mediated inflammatory responses. Given the role of macrophages in promoting adipose tissue (AT) inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in response to diet-induced obesity, we hypothesized that GX KO mice would be protected from the obesity related metabolic derangements associated with overfeeding. Unexpectedly, GX KO mice were only partially protected from high fat (HFD) diet-induced glucose intolerance and showed no improvement in HFD-induced insulin resistance. Moreover, GX KO mice were not protected against HFD-induced AT inflammation. GX sPLA2 is produced as a proenzyme (pro-GX sPLA2), and propeptide cleavage is required for enzymatic activity. Furin-like proprotein convertases (PCs) have recently been implicated in the proteolytic activation of pro-GX sPLA2; however the identity of individual PCs involved is unclear. Previous findings from our lab have shown that GX sPLA2 is expressed in the adrenals where it regulates glucocorticoid production. GX KO mice have increased plasma corticosterone levels under both basal and ACTH-induced stress conditions. However, how GX sPLA2 is regulated in the adrenals is still uncertain. We hypothesized that PCs may be involved in the proteolytic activation of pro-GX sPLA2 in the adrenals. Here we report the novel findings that the PCs, furin and PCSK6, proteolytically activate pro-GX sPLA2 in Y1 adrenal cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PC dependent processing of pro-GX sPLA2 is necessary for GX sPLA2 dependent suppression of steroidogenesis. Finally, we provide evidence that pro-GX sPLA2 processing by PCs is enhanced in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), suggesting a novel mechanism for negatively regulating adrenal steroidogenesis. Cumulatively, these studies provide valuable insight into the function and regulation of GX sPLA2.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-67). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on April 14, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2006. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D. in Biochemistry)--Vanderbilt University, May 2009. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Stuttgart, Univ., Diss., 2000.

Hohenheim, Univ., Diss., 2007.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on June 07, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Heidelberg, Universiẗat, Diss. : 1995.