Patatin Like Phospholipase Domain Containing Protein 8 (PNPLA8)

Phospholipase A2 catalyzes cleavage of fatty acids from phospholipids, thereby regulating membrane physical properties and the release of lipid second messengers and growth factors. Phospholipase A2 activity also modulates cellular growth programs, inflammation, and ion channel function.

The deduced 782-amino acid protein contains a C-terminal lipase consensus sequence G-X-S-X-G. Northern blot analysis of human tissues detected an approximately 3.3-kb transcript with strong expression in skeletal muscle and heart, moderate expression in brain, kidney, liver, and placenta, with low expression in thymus, spleen, small intestine, lung, and peripheral blood leukocytes. In COS-7 cells, PNPLA8 localized in the membrane fraction but not in the cytosolic fraction.