Group IIA secreted phospholipase A2 (PLA2G2A) augments adipose tissue thermogenesis

Group IIA secreted phospholipase A2 (PLA2G2A) hydrolyzes glycerophospholipids at the sn-2 position resulting in the release of fatty acids and lysophospholipids. C57BL/6 mice do not express Pla2g2a due to a frameshift mutation (wild-type [WT] mice). We previously reported that transgenic expression of human PLA2G2A in C57BL/6 mice (IIA+ mice) protects against weight gain and insulin resistance, in part by increasing total energy expenditure. Additionally, we found that brown and white adipocytes from IIA+ mice have increased expression of mitochondrial uncoupling markers, such as uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator, and PR domain containing 16, suggesting that the energy expenditure phenotype might be due to an increased thermogenic capacity in adipose tissue. Here, we further characterize the impact of PLA2G2A on thermogenic mechanisms in adipose tissue. Metabolic analysis of WT and IIA+ mice revealed that even when housed within their thermoneutral zone, IIA+ mice have elevated energy expenditure compared to WT littermates. Increased energy expenditure in IIA+ mice is associated with increased citrate synthase activity in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and increased mitochondrial respiration in both brown and white adipocytes. We also observed that direct addition of recombinant PLA2G2A enzyme to in vitro cultured adipocytes results in the marked induction of UCP1 protein expression. Finally, we report that PLA2G2A induces the expression of numerous transcripts related to energy substrate transport and metabolism in BAT, suggestive of an increase in substrate flux to fuel BAT activity. These data demonstrate that PLA2G2A enhances adipose tissue thermogenesis, in part, through elevated substrate delivery and increased mitochondrial content in BAT.