Properties of lysophospholipase in Mycobacterium leprae

Lysophospholipids are key intermediates in the metabolism of phospholipids. Cytoplasmic membranes of both eukaryotes and prokaryotes are made of phospholipid bilayers. Phospholipases are activated during phagocytosis. Lysophospholipids generated by phospholipase A2 or A1 degrade cell membranes and can cause cell lysis. An active lysophospholipase, that hydrolyzes lysophospholipids, was detected by the radioisotope technique in Mycobacterium leprae. About two-thirds of the enzyme was particulate and one-third cytoplasmic. Optimum activity was at 37 degrees C, and at pH 6.0. Temperatures above 70 degrees C completely inactivated the enzyme. The compound AACOCF3, a trifluromethylketone analog of arachiodonic acid, inhibited the activity; the inhibition appeared to be of the uncompetetive type. The K(m) of the enzyme was 2.5 x 10(-4)M, suggesting a fairly strong affinity for the substrate. Lysophospholipids have been shown to be microbicidal to invading organisms. Possession of lysophospholipase by M. leprae is apparently one of the methods by which the bacilli overcome the defense mechanisms of the host.