Hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by cerium(IV) releases significant amounts of choline and inorganic phosphate at lysosomal pH

Phosphatidylcholine was screened against twelve commercially available metal ion salts. Ce(NH4)2(NO3)6, ZrCl4, and HfCl4 produced higher levels of phosphate ester bond hydrolysis at lysosomal pH (~ 4.8) compared to near neutral, cytoplasmic pH (~ 7.2). The cerium(IV) salt was the most reactive, displaying considerable activity at 60 °C and 37 °C.