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Demethoxyviridin and wortmannin block phospholipase C and D activation in the human neutrophil

R W Bonser1, N T Thompson, R W Randall

  • 1Biochemical Sciences Department, Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, Kent.

Insights

Demethoxyviridin inhibits phospholipase D (PLD) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C, impacting neutrophil signaling. This suggests demethoxyviridin may disrupt chemotactic peptide receptor and GTP-binding protein interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Signaling
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Wortmannin, a fungal metabolite, inhibits neutrophil superoxide production and phospholipase D (PLD) activation.
  • Human neutrophils utilize signaling pathways involving PLD and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the inhibitory effects of demethoxyviridin, a wortmannin analogue, on neutrophil signaling pathways.
  • To elucidate the role of PLD in neutrophil signal transduction.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the inhibition of fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated superoxide production and PLD activation.
  • Assessed the impact of demethoxyviridin on phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) formation.
  • Examined the effect on intracellular calcium mobilization and PLD activation induced by sodium fluoride or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA).

Main Results:

  • Demethoxyviridin inhibited PLD activation non-competitively (IC50 = 31 nM) and IP3 formation (IC50 = 250 nM).
  • Intracellular calcium mobilization was inhibited at much higher concentrations.
  • Demethoxyviridin also inhibited PLD activation induced by sodium fluoride or PMA, but required higher concentrations.

Conclusions:

  • PLD plays a significant role in human neutrophil signal transduction.
  • Wortmannin and demethoxyviridin likely inhibit PLD activation at a common step.
  • Demethoxyviridin may impede the interaction between chemotactic peptide receptors and GTP-binding proteins involved in PLD activation.

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