Recent progress in phospholipase A2 research: From cells to animals to humans

Mammalian genomes encode genes for more than 30 phospholipase A2s (PLA2s) or related enzymes, which are subdivided into several classes including low-molecular-weight secreted PLA2s (sPLA2s), Ca2+-dependent cytosolic PLA2s (cPLA2s), Ca2+-independent PLA2s (iPLA2s), platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolases (PAF-AHs), lysosomal PLA2s, and a recently identified adipose-specific PLA. Of these, the intracellular cPLA2 and iPLA2 families and the extracellular sPLA2 family are recognized as the “big three”. From a general viewpoint, cPLA2α (the prototypic cPLA2) plays a major role in the initiation of arachidonic acid metabolism, the iPLA2 family contributes to membrane homeostasis and energy metabolism, and the sPLA2 family affects various biological events by modulating the extracellular phospholipid milieus. The cPLA2 family evolved along with eicosanoid receptors when vertebrates first appeared, whereas the diverse branching of the iPLA2 and sPLA2 families during earlier eukaryote development suggests that they play fundamental roles in life-related processes. During the past decade, data concerning the unexplored roles of various PLA2 enzymes in pathophysiology have emerged on the basis of studies using knockout and transgenic mice, the use of specific inhibitors, and information obtained from analysis of human diseases caused by mutations in PLA2 genes. This review focuses on current understanding of the emerging biological functions of PLA2s and related enzymes.