Phospholipase A2 group VII (platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, plasma) (PLA2G7)

Phospholipase A2 group VII, abbreviated as PLA2G7 (also known as platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase or Lp-PLA2), is a calcium-independent secreted enzyme encoded by the PLA2G7 gene. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of the acetyl group at the sn-2 position of phospholipids, inactivating pro-inflammatory mediators such as platelet-activating factor (PAF) and oxidized phospholipids, especially those carried on LDL. PLA2G7 plays important roles in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress regulation, and inflammation. Clinically, PLA2G7 is implicated as a key mediator in atherosclerosis and a biomarker of risk for cardiovascular disease, as well as a putative biomarker and drug target in aggressive prostate cancer. Therapeutic strategies targeting PLA2G7 are being investigated in cardiovascular disease and cancer, especially with enzyme inhibitors such as darapladib or combination approaches using statins. PLA2G7 is primarily a biomarker and therapeutic target due to its central role in inflammation-driven lipid signaling and disease progression

Other names

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolasePAFAHLDL-PLA2Lp-PLA2LDL-associated phospholipase A21-alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine esterase2-acetyl-1-alkylglycerophosphocholine esterasegVIIA-PLA2Group-VIIA phospholipase A2PAFA

Inhibition of enzyme prevents hydrolysis of oxidized phospholipids and PAF, potentially reducing vascular inflammation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions In prostate cancer, combination inhibition with statins enhances anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects