Characterization of plasmalogen-selective phospholipase A2 from bovine brain

Plasmalogens are hydrolyzed by a plasmalogen-selective phospholipase A2. This enzyme, purified from bovine brain, does not require Ca2+ and is localized in cytosol. It has a molecular mass of 39 kDa and is strongly inhibited by glycosaminoglycans, gangliosides, and sialoglycoproteins. These molecules may be involved in the regulation of its enzymic activity. Plasmalogen-selective phospholipase A2 plays an important role in the release of free fatty acids and platelet-activating factor during trauma.