Identification and partial characterization of phospholipase D in the human amniotic membrane

The enzymatic activity of phospholipase D and its characteristics have been examined in human amnion tissue. The phospholipase D activity was not Ca(2+)- or Mg(2+)-dependent and was activated by unsaturated fatty acids. The optimal pH of phospholipase D was 5.5. The phospholipase D activity in amnion tissue was highest in the microsomal fraction, and preferentially utilized phosphatidylcholine as a substrate. The phospholipase D activity of the microsomal fraction of amnion tissue obtained at term before labor onset (34.0 +/- 16.3 nmol/hour/mg protein, mean +/- SD, n = 11) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the activity in this tissue obtained from women in the mid-trimester (15.0 +/- 7.5 nmol/hour/mg protein, n = 9).