Patatin-like phospholipases in microbial infections with emerging roles in fatty acid metabolism and immune regulation by Apicomplexa.

Emerging lipidomic technologies have enabled researchers to dissect the complex roles of phospholipases in lipid metabolism, cellular signaling and immune regulation. Host phospholipase products are involved in stimulating and resolving the inflammatory response to pathogens. While many pathogen-derived phospholipases also manipulate the immune response, they have recently been shown to be involved in lipid remodeling and scavenging during replication. Animal and plant hosts as well as many pathogens contain a family of patatin-like phospholipases, which have been shown to have phospholipase A activity. Proteins containing patatin-like phospholipase domains have been identified in protozoan parasites within the Apicomplexa phylum. These parasites are the causative agents of some of the most widespread human diseases. Malaria, caused by Plasmodium spp., kills nearly half a million people worldwide each year. Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium infect millions of people each year with lethal consequences in immunocompromised populations. Parasite-derived patatin-like phospholipases are likely effective drug targets and progress in the tools available to the Apicomplexan field will allow for a closer look at the interplay of lipid metabolism and immune regulation during host infection.