Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 1b catalytic subunit 2 (PAFAH1B2)

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 1b catalytic subunit 2 (PAFAH1B2) is an intracellular serine hydrolase that acts as one of the two catalytic subunits of the cytosolic type I PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH Ib) complex, alongside a regulatory subunit (LIS1/PAFAH1B1) and an alternative catalytic subunit (PAFAH1B3). PAFAH1B2 specifically hydrolyzes the acetyl group at the sn-2 position of the potent lipid mediator PAF, terminating its signaling, and is involved in a range of cellular processes including neurodevelopment, reproduction, inflammation, and apoptosis. Altered function or regulation of PAFAH1B2 is implicated in various diseases, most notably certain neurological developmental disorders and cancers. The enzyme’s activity and substrate specificity are influenced by its dimer composition (homodimer or heterodimer with PAFAH1B3), and it has experimental inhibitors that are under investigation for cancer therapy.

Other names

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB subunit alpha2PAF-AH1b alpha 2 subunitPAF acetylhydrolase 30 kDa subunitPAF-AH 30 kDa subunitPAF-AH subunit betaPAFAH subunit betaepididymis secretory protein Li 303HEL-S-303intracellular platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase alpha 2 subunitplatelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB subunit betaPAFAHBPAFAH IB2Paf-ahPAFAH Isoform 1 α 2 subunit

Inhibition of PAFAH1B2 blocks hydrolysis and inactivation of PAF, which can affect cell signaling and reduce pathogenesis in cancer cell lines