Monitoring of Phospholipase A2 Activation in Cultured Cells Using Tritiated Arachidonic Acid

Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂ , EC 3.1.1.4, phosphatide sn -2 acyl hydrolase) is a ubiquitous enzyme that plays a role in the response of a wide variety of cells to specific stimuli. PLA₂ is an important component of the cellular machinery that is activated by inflammatory stimuli and it maintains cell homeostasis by membrane remodeling. The role of PLA₂ in the production of proinflammatory lipid mediators makes this enzyme an interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory disorders (1 ).