Screening for lysophosphatidylserine lipases in mouse tissues

Abstract

Lysophosphatidylserines (Lyso-PSs) are immunomodulatory signalling lipds whose metabolism is of growing importance. Known enzymes linked to synthesis and degradation of lyso-PS are directly associated with pathophysiological conditions. ABHD12 is known to be the primary lyso-PS lipase in brain, while lyso-PS lipases in other tissues are unknown. Through this project, progress has been made towards identifying lipases that degrade lyso-PS in murine tissues other than brain. Using protein separation techniques, we developed protocols to obtain protein fractions with distinct protein profiles, which are important to narrow down candidate enzymes capable of lyso-PS lipase activity. MS-based lipid profiling experiments were performed, which revealed the translation of lyso-PS lipase activity upon detergent treatment. We also studied distributions of lyso-PS and ABHD12 across tissues using untargeted lipidomics and western blotting respectively, and the results obtained further strengthen the basis of the project.