Formation of phosphatidylethanol in rat brain by phospholipase D

The mechanism of phosphatidyl [14C]ethanol formation was studied in rat brain microsomal fraction. Phospholipase D and base-exchange enzymes were assayed with [14C]ethanol as substrate. Phospholipase D was found to catalyse the formation of phosphatidylethanol. The reaction was dependent on sodium-oleate as activating factor. Phosphatidylethanol formation by phospholipase D has previously only been reported to occur in plant tissues. Stimulation of base-exchange enzymes with calcium in the presence of [14 C]ethanol did not induce any formation of phosphatidylethanol. These findings indicate that phosphatidylethanol formation in ethanol intoxicated rats is catalysed by phospholipase D.