Differential hydrolysis of 1-alkyl-2-acyl and diacylglycerophosphocholines by human and non-human phospholipases A2.

The activity of two human phospholipases A2, purified from synovial fluid and lumbar disc herniations, was tested using alkylacyl- and diacylglycerophosphocholines and the influence of the chemical link at the sn-1 position of glycerol was investigated. Both enzymes exhibited 2.5-3-fold selectivity for 1-ester-linked compared to 1-ether-linked phosphatidylcholine. No significant selectivity was observed with pancreatic phospholipase A2 while Naja naja naja venom enzyme was more efficient against 1-ether-phospholipids.