PLA2G7
PLA2G7 (phospholipase A2 group VII) is a secreted, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 that inactivates platelet-activating factor and clears oxidised phospholipids. It is also known as PAFAH, LDL-PLA2 and Lp-PLA2. Browse Assay Genie's current range of PLA2G7 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
PLA2G7 is a lipoprotein-associated, calcium-independent phospholipase A2 involved in phospholipid catabolism during inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. At the lipid-aqueous interface it hydrolyses the ester bond of the fatty acyl group at the sn-2 position of phospholipids. It specifically targets phospholipids with a short-chain acyl group at sn-2, and can act on long-chain acyl groups only when these carry oxidised functional groups.
A central substrate is platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent pro-inflammatory signalling lipid that acts through PTAFR on innate immune cells. By hydrolysing and inactivating PAF, the enzyme limits this signal. It also hydrolyses oxidatively truncated phospholipids that carry an aldehyde group at the omega position, which prevents their accumulation in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles and uncontrolled pro-inflammatory effects. As part of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, it can hydrolyse phospholipids bearing long-chain fatty acyl hydroperoxides at sn-2, protecting the vascular wall from accumulation of these oxylipins. It also catalyses the release of F2-isoprostanes, lipid biomarkers of cellular oxidative damage, from membrane phospholipids.
The PLA2G7 gene encodes a secreted enzyme that belongs to the AB hydrolase superfamily, lipase family, and is classed by HGNC in the phospholipase gene group. Two transcript variants encode the same protein. Defects in the gene cause platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase deficiency. The official name was previously phospholipase A2, group VII (platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, plasma), and the mouse ortholog is Pla2g7.
PLA2G7 inactivates the pro-inflammatory lipid platelet-activating factor, making it a point of control in inflammatory signalling through PTAFR.
The enzyme releases F2-isoprostanes from membrane phospholipids and clears oxidised phospholipids, linking it to studies of oxidative damage.
Associated with LDL and HDL particles, PLA2G7 prevents build-up of oxidised phospholipids and oxylipins in lipoproteins and the vascular wall.
As a calcium-independent phospholipase A2 with defined sn-2 substrate preferences, it is a useful model for phospholipid hydrolysis at lipid-aqueous interfaces.
PLA2G7 is a secreted phospholipase A2 that hydrolyses the sn-2 fatty acyl ester bond of phospholipids, favouring short-chain or oxidised acyl groups. It inactivates platelet-activating factor and degrades oxidised phospholipids in LDL and HDL particles, limiting pro-inflammatory effects.
PLA2G7 is also called PAFAH, LDL-PLA2 and Lp-PLA2, and its UniProt name is platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase. Earlier HGNC naming was phospholipase A2, group VII (platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, plasma). Two transcript variants encode the same protein.
Defects in the PLA2G7 gene cause platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase deficiency. A mouse ortholog, Pla2g7, exists, so mouse models can be used for functional studies; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other phospholipase A2 family members and related phospholipases with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q13093; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.