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Messenger functions of phosphatidic acid
D English1, Y Cui, R A Siddiqui
1Bone Marrow Transplantation Laboratory, Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
Chemistry and Physics of Lipids
|May 24, 1996
Summary
Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a phospholipid with diverse biological roles. This review explores its functions as an intracellular mediator and extracellular messenger, highlighting its regulation by cellular enzymes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Signaling
Background:
- Phosphatidic acid (PA) is an anionic phospholipid with known biological activities.
- Some PA effects are mediated by its hydrolysis products, but PA itself has direct functions.
- PA is implicated in calcium transport and mobilization, and specialized cell functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the known functions of phosphatidic acid (PA).
- To explore PA's roles as an intracellular mediator and extracellular messenger.
- To discuss the regulation of PA functions by cellular hydrolases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on phosphatidic acid.
- Analysis of PA's involvement in cellular signaling pathways.
- Examination of PA's interaction with cellular enzymes.
Main Results:
- PA directly activates intracellular protein kinases, suggesting a PA-dependent kinase superfamily.
- PA may mediate cell-to-cell communication when present on the plasma membrane surface.
- PA influences neutrophil superoxide-generating enzyme activity and actin polymerization.
Conclusions:
- Phosphatidic acid (PA) acts as both an intracellular mediator and extracellular messenger.
- Cellular enzymes that hydrolyze PA play a crucial role in regulating its biological activities.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the PA-dependent signaling pathways.