Characterization and distribution of a phospholipase A2 activity from adult rabbit lung

A phospholipase A2 activity was characterized in adult rabbit lung. This activity was calcium- and deoxycholate-dependent and displayed an alkaline pH optimum. Km and Vmax were 0.176 mM and 256.8 pmoles/min./mg protein respectively. The microsomal fraction displayed the highest enzymatic specific activity; the lowest activity was present in the cytosol. Yet this latter fraction accounted for the majority of the total activity. Although the specific activity was high within the lamellar body fraction this compartment contained only approximately 2% of the total activity. Phospholipase A2 activity was inhibited by bromophenacyl bromide, chlorpromazine and mepacrine in decreasing order of effectiveness. Treatment of the microsomes with increasing concentrations of NaC1 indicated that the lung phospholipase A2 activity was relatively loosely bound to the microsomal membranes and was maximally removed with salt at a concentration only slightly higher than physiological. Addition of calmodulin to the enzyme assay did not significantly alter hydrolysis of labelled phosphatidylcholine.