Prostaglandin E2, postulated to be immunosuppressive to the tumor bearing host, is produced and excreted in elevated quantities by many tumors. Arachidonic acid, the precursor molecule for PGE2, is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2. Phospholipase A2 has been proposed as the rate limiting enzyme in the production of prostaglandin E2.Phospholipase A2 from different sources varies in substrate specificities, pH optima, and Ca ++ concentration requirements. Therefore, the determination of its specific activity depends on the development of appropriate incubation, extraction, and identification methodologies.This study attempted to develop methodologies for determination of PLA2 activity using enzymes from snake venom, mouse liver, and normal and tumored mouse mammarytissue. The method of substrate preparation, kind of substrate, amount of protein, length of incubation, and addition of KC1 and deoxycholate were varied. Reaction products were extracted and isolated with hexame, and methylated with diazomethane. The methyl esters were identified by gas liquid chromatography. Quantitative analyses were based on proportionality of experimental peak areas to internal standard peak area.Activity could not be demonstrated with snake venom or liver PLA2 preparations. Low specific activity was obtained in some tumor and normal mammary tissue extracts. These studies will be used as a basis for developing an optimal assay system for PLA2 from normal and tumored mouse mammary tissue.

The number of tissue eosinophils were counted and phospholiphase B activity was assayed in the intestines of nonsensitized and sensitized and sensitized mice infected with Trichinella spiralis.