Assays for investigations of signal transduction mechanisms involving phospholipase D: mass measurements of phosphatidate, phosphatidylethanol, and diacylglycerol in cultured cells.

With the intent of achieving a better understanding of agonist-induced phospholipase D activity, we have developed simple, rapid assays for quantitating the mass of phosphatidate, phosphatidylethanol, and diacylglycerol. Crude lipid extracts of cultured cells are used; preliminary sample cleanup or derivatization procedures are not necessary. The assays resolve the particular lipids by short-bed/continuous-development thin-layer chromatography. Quantitative assessments are derived from photodensitometric analysis of charred lipid spots. The assays may be employed for as little as 45 pmol of diacylglycerol and 50 pmol of phosphatidate or phosphatidylethanol. The newly developed assays are compared to other procedures for quantitating lipid mediators. The utility of the assays is illustrated in experiments that use a variety of cultured cells to demonstrate the agonist activation of the phospholipase D pathway. In addition, experiments designed to screen various agonists for signal-response coupling to phospholipase D are described.