Synthesis of leukotriene C and other arachidonic acid metabolites by mouse pulmonary macrophages.

Mouse resident pulmonary macrophages were subdivided into alveolar (PAM) and interstitial (PTM) populations on the basis of accessibility to pulmonary lavage, and zymosan-induced arachidonic acid (20:4) metabolism was examined in both populations labeled with [3H]20:4. Maximal phagocytic doses of unopsonized zymosan induced the specific release of 11% of phospholipid 20:4 by PTM and 4.6% by PAM. Direct fatty acid analysis of [3H]20:4-labeled PTM cultured in the presence or absence of zymosan indicated that the specific activity of the [3H]20:4 in cell phospholipid provided an accurate measure of 20:4 released by the cells, and could therefore be used to quantitate the synthesis of 20:4 metabolites by PTM in vitro. The single major 20:4 metabolite of PTM was the slow-reacting substance leukotriene C, which was synthesized in quantities of 3-4 pmol/microgram cell protein (280-370 pmol/10(6) cells), and comprised 20-25% of the released 20:4. PTM also synthesized prostaglandin E2, prostacyclin, thromboxane A2, and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids. In contrast, PAM produced leukotrienes D and E in addition to leukotriene C, prostaglandin E2, thromboxane A2, and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids. Prostacyclin formation by PAM was not observed. These studies define a set of experimental conditions for the study of 20:4 metabolism by pulmonary macrophages, and demonstrate that these cells are rich sources of LTC as well as other 20:4 oxygenated products.

Dynamics of leukotriene C production by macrophages.

A method for the radiochemical assay of LTC production by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro is presented. The method involves labeling macrophages in culture with [5,6,8,9,11,12,14,15-3H]20:4 followed by stimulation of arachidonic acid (20:4) release under the experimental conditions desired. Radiolabeled leukotriene C (LTC) is recovered from the culture medium by extraction and silicic acid chromatography in 40% yield with full retention of biological activity. Because this LTC is radiochemically pure, the quantity of LTC release may be estimated from the amount of radioactivity in the sample. Use of the radioassay to study parameters affecting LTC synthesis by macrophages indicated that the time course of LTC synthesis and its relationship to the dose of a phagocytic stimulus (zymosan) were very similar to those of prostaglandin (PG) release. LTC release was also similar to that of PG in that lower levels of both metabolites were produced by Corynebacterium parvum-elicited macrophages than by resident cells. Finally, LTC release was stimulated in response to a challenge with antigen-antibody complexes, but lower maximal levels were attained than those with zymosan. The data presented here are consistent with the hypothesis that challenge of macrophages with a phagocytic stimulus leads to the release of 20:4 by an inducible phospholipase. Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase then compete for the released 20:4, leading to the production of PG, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, and LTC.

Secretion of leukotriene C and other arachidonic acid metabolites by macrophages challenged with immunoglobulin E immune complexes.

Resident mouse peritoneal macrophages release the slow-reacting substance leukotriene C (LTC) on exposure to particulate IgE immune complexes. Because these cells lose their responsiveness to an IgE stimulus after 4 h in culture, maximum release of 20:4 metabolites is observed before this time. However, a similar diminution in 20:4 metabolism was not observed with a zymosan stimulus. Freshly explanted cells are deficient in intracellular glutathione (GSH) (12.4 +/- 0.4 pmol/micrograms cell protein), but GSH increases to a steady state value of 30-35 pmol/micrograms of cell protein between 3 and 9 h of culture. Because GSH is required for the synthesis of LTC and prostaglandin (PG)E2, cultures challenged immediately after explanation have a diminished capacity to synthesize these 20:4 metabolites and release prostacyclin as the major product. By 4-5 h in culture, macrophages form significant amounts of LTC and PGE2. Under optimum conditions of maximum responsiveness to an IgE stimulus and GSH content (after 4 h of culture), macrophages challenged with latex beads coated with IgE immune complexes synthesize 1.0 +/- 0.3 pmol of LTC/microgram cell protein (60 +/- 18 pmol/10(6) cells) in addition to prostacyclin (8.2 +/- 0.8 pmol/micrograms cell protein) and PGE2 (4.7 +/- 1.5 pmol/micrograms cell protein). These amounts are quantitatively similar to the arachidonic acid metabolites produced by macrophages challenged with IgG immune complex-coated latex beads or zymosan. These data demonstrate that macrophages produce large quantities of LTC and other 20:4 metabolites in response to particle-bound IgE and antigen, provided that the appropriate in vitro conditions are met. The macrophage might, therefore, be a major source of slow-reacting substance and other 20:4 metabolites generated during IgE-mediated reactions in vivo.

Leukotrienes and lipoxins: structures, biosynthesis, and biological effects.

Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids upon cell stimulation (for example, by immune complexes and calcium ionophores) and converted to leukotrienes by a 5-lipoxygenase that also has leukotriene A4 synthetase activity. Leukotriene A4, an unstable epoxide, is hydrolyzed to leukotriene B4 or conjugated with glutathione to yield leukotriene C4 and its metabolites, leukotriene D4 and leukotriene E4. The leukotrienes participate in host defense reactions and pathophysiological conditions such as immediate hypersensitivity and inflammation. Recent studies also suggest a neuroendocrine role for leukotriene C4 in luteinizing hormone secretion. Lipoxins are formed by the action of 5- and 15-lipoxygenases on arachidonic acid. Lipoxin A causes contraction of guinea pig lung strips and dilation of the microvasculature. Both lipoxin A and B inhibit natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Thus, the multiple interaction of lipoxygenases generates compounds that can regulate specific cellular responses of importance in inflammation and immunity.

Molecular modeling studies of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase nonnucleoside inhibitors: total energy of complexation as a predictor of drug placement and activity.

Computer modeling studies have been carried out on three nonnucleoside inhibitors complexed with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT), using crystal coordinate data from a subset of the protein surrounding the binding pocket region. Results from the minimizations of solvated complexes of 2-cyclopropyl-4-methyl-5,11-dihydro-5H-dipyrido[3,2-b :2',3'-e][1,4] diazepin-6-one (nevirapine), alpha-anilino-2, 6-dibromophenylacetamide (alpha-APA), and 8-chloro-tetrahydro-imidazo(4,5,1-jk)(1,4)-benzodiazepin-2(1H)-thi one (TIBO) show that all three inhibitors maintain a very similar conformational shape, roughly overlay each other in the binding pocket, and appear to function as pi-electron donors to aromatic side-chain residues surrounding the pocket. However, side-chain residues adapt to each bound inhibitor in a highly specific manner, closing down around the surface of the drug to make tight van der Waals contacts. Consequently, the results from the calculated minimizations reveal that only when the inhibitors are modeled in a site constructed from coordinate data obtained from their particular RT complex can the calculated binding energies be relied upon to predict the correct orientation of the drug in the pocket. In the correct site, these binding energies correlate with EC50 values determined for all three inhibitors in our laboratory. Analysis of the components of the binding energy reveals that, for all three inhibitors, solvation of the drug is endothermic, but solvation of the protein is exothermic, and the sum favors complex formation. In general, the protein is energetically more stable and the drug less stable in their complexes as compared to the reactant conformations. For all three inhibitors, interaction with the protein in the complex is highly favorable. Interactions of the inhibitors with individual residues correlate with crystallographic and site-specific mutational data. pi-Stacking interactions are important in binding and correlate with drug HOMO RHF/6-31G* energies. Modeling results are discussed with respect to the mechanism of complex formation and the design of nonnucleoside inhibitors that will be more effective against mutants of HIV-1 RT that are resistant to the currently available drugs.

The importance of hydroperoxide activation for the detection and assay of mammalian 5-lipoxygenase.

Sulfhydryl reagents such as dithiothreitol stabilized human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) during purification. During enzyme assay, however, these reagents led to irreproducible or unexpectedly low activity. This inconsistency in the assay was eliminated by inclusion of hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (1-5 microM) during the reaction which effected a 10-20-fold stimulation of 5-LO activity. Structural studies indicated that an intact hydroperoxy function, and a long-chain fatty acyl moiety were required for 5-LO stimulation. These data suggest that human leukocyte 5-LO is activated by hydroperoxy fatty acids, and that this results in a requirement for exogenous hydroperoxide in the presence of sulfhydryl reagents.

Hypertriglyceridemia associated with Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rabbits: role of defective triglyceride removal.

Rabbits infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei develop a hypertriglyceridemia characterized by an increase in very low density lipoprotein and, to a lesser extent, low density lipoprotein, with a decrease in high density lipoprotein. Triglyceride production studies showed that the triglyceride production rate was not significantly different in trypanosome-infected rabbits from controls. Studies of triglyceride degradation using very low density lipoprotein triglyceride endogenously labelled with [3H]palmitate demonstrated a marked slowing of triglyceride removal in the infected rabbits when compared to controls. Lipase activity in post-heparin plasma was found to be deficient in trypanosome-infected animals. Furthermore, the greater the decrease in lipolytic activity, the greater the increase in serum triglyceride level. We conclude that the hypertriglyceridemia associated with T. b. brucei infection in rabbits results predominantly from a defect in triglyceride degradation.

Inhibition of human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase by a 4-hydroxybenzofuran, L-656,224. Evidence for enzyme reduction and inhibitor degradation.

Detailed studies of the interaction of L-656,224 (2-[(4'-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-propyl-7- chlorobenzofuran) with 5-lipoxygenase were conducted using the enzymes from human and pig leukocytes. L-656,224 was a potent inhibitor of these 5-lipoxygenases although its efficiency varied with enzyme concentration. L-656,224 also stimulated the pseudoperoxidase activity of 5-lipoxygenase as measured by the consumption of 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD), indicating that this compound can reduce the enzyme. Furthermore the inhibitor was degraded rapidly by both cell-free leukocyte extracts and purified 5-lipoxygenase after incubation with 13-HPOD, ATP and calcium ions. The degradation of L-656,224 was also observed during inhibition of the lipoxygenase reaction and occurred mainly after the initial lag phase of the reaction when hydroperoxides begin to accumulate. A single major radioactive product was formed after incubation of [3H]L-656,224 with purified 5-lipoxygenase in the presence of 13-HPOD. This product was unstable and could not be isolated. During the course of the pseudoperoxidase reaction, [3H]L-656,224 covalently labelled the enzyme, suggesting that a chemically reactive species had been formed. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that L-656,224 reduces the oxidized form of the 5-lipoxygenase to an inactive form, with degradation of the inhibitor and regeneration of the active enzyme with hydroperoxides.

An unexpected pathway for the metabolic degradation of 1,3-dialkyl-3-acyltriazenes.

In the presence of NADPH, rat liver microsomes catalyzed the degradation of a series of 1,3-dialkyl-3-acyltriazenes, and the extent of the reaction was correlated with compound lipophilicity. In the case of two methylcarbamoyltriazenes, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-benzyl-3- (methylcarbamoyl)triazene (CBzM) and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-methyl-3-(methylcarbamoyl)triazene (CMM), microsomal metabolites were isolated. Identification of the CBzM metabolites as 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-benzyl-3-(hydroxymethylcarbamoyl)triazene and 1-(2-chloroethyl-3-benzyl-3-carbamoyltriazine, and the CMM metabolite as 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-methyl-3-(hydroxymethylcarbamoyl)triazene indicated that the first metabolic step involves hydroxylation of the methylcarbamoyl substituent. Detailed studies of the metabolism of CBzM indicated that the Km for the reaction was 84 microM, and that metabolism was more efficient if microsomes were prepared from male than from female rats. During prolonged incubation, the metabolites of CBzM were also degraded. The degradation of CBzM and its metabolites was inhibited by SKF-525A and metyrapone, suggesting the involvement of a cytochrome P450 isozyme, and supporting the hypothesis that the process is oxidative rather than hydrolytic in both cases. Metabolic oxidation represents an alternative pathway to chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis for the in vivo decomposition of (methylcarbamoyl)triazenes. This mechanism may ultimately explain the antitumor efficacy and low acute toxicity of selected compounds.

Demonstration of multiple regulatory factors for purified human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase.

The human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase is a unique enzyme in its class because of its involvement in the synthesis of the biologically active leukotrienes. Furthermore, unlike most other lipoxygenases, this enzyme requires multiple stimulatory factors for maximal activity. These include Ca2+, ATP, and three non-dialyzable cellular components, two cytosolic, and one membrane-associated. The mechanism of action of these factors is not yet well understood; however, a Ca2+-dependent association of the enzyme and one of the cytosolic factors with the membrane has been demonstrated. These findings suggest that stimulation of the leukocyte, resulting in an increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration, may result in the translocation of the enzyme and the factor to a membrane site, thereby facilitating the interaction of these two proteins with other enzymes involved in the 20:4 metabolic cascade. The development of a better understanding of these processes should not only help to define the biochemical basis for the regulation of leukotriene formation, but should also yield valuable information concerning the more general aspects of stimulus-response coupling in the leukocyte.

Studies on the regulation, biosynthesis, and activation of 5-lipoxygenase in differentiated HL60 cells.

Exposure of human HL60 cells to dimethyl sulfoxide results in their differentiation to mature granulocyte-like cells that concomitantly acquire the capacity to synthesize leukotrienes. The appearance of 5-lipoxygenase mRNA during differentiation indicated that these cells provide a useful model system for the biosynthesis and regulation of 5-lipoxygenase. Immunoblot analysis of protein from differentiated HL60 cells detected a 78,000-Da species comigrating with 5-lipoxygenase purified from human peripheral blood leukocytes. Metabolic labeling studies indicated that both undifferentiated and differentiated HL60 cells synthesized 5-lipoxygenase; however, the differentiated cells incorporated approximately 4.4-fold more [35S]methionine into 5-lipoxygenase protein than did controls. In addition, the differentiated HL60 cells contained approximately 3.3-fold more 5-lipoxygenase enzyme activity than undifferentiated cells. Metabolic labeling studies failed to demonstrate any post-translational modifications of 5-lipoxygenase, including proteolysis, mannose glycosylation, myristic acid acylation, or phosphorylation. When differentiated HL60 cells were incubated with [35S]methionine for 4 versus 16 h, no difference was observed in the pattern of total radiolabeled supernatant protein; however, there was a significant increase in the incorporation of radioactivity into immunoprecipitable 5-lipoxygenase protein from cells labeled for 16 as compared with 4 h. Pulse-chase studies demonstrated that the t1/2 of 5-lipoxygenase in these cells is approximately 26 h. Activation of differentiated HL60 cells with Ca2+ ionophore A23187 resulted in the loss of 5-lipoxygenase protein and activity from the cytosol and the accumulation of inactive protein in a membrane fraction. Following ionophore stimulation, no augmentation in the rate of 5-lipoxygenase synthesis occurred in order to compensate for the loss of the translocated/inactive enzyme. Finally, additional 5-lipoxygenase was able to translocate to the membrane in response to subsequent ionophore challenges.

Translocation of 5-lipoxygenase to the membrane in human leukocytes challenged with ionophore A23187.

Challenge of human peripheral blood leukocytes with ionophore A23187 resulted in leukotriene (LT) synthesis, a decrease in total cellular 5-lipoxygenase activity, and a change in the subcellular localization of the enzyme. In homogenates from control cells, greater than 90% of the 5-lipoxygenase activity and protein was localized in the cytosol (100,000 X g supernatant). Ionophore challenge (2 microM) resulted in a loss of approximately 55% of the enzymatic activity and 35% of the enzyme protein from the cytosol. Concomitantly, there was an accumulation of inactive 5-lipoxygenase in the membrane (100,000 X g pellets) which accounted for at least 45% of the lost cytosolic protein. There was a good correlation between the quantities of LT synthesized and 5-lipoxygenase recovered in the membrane over an ionophore concentration range of 0.1-6 microM. The time course of the membrane association was similar to that of LT synthesis. Furthermore, although the pellet-associated enzyme recovered from ionophore-treated leukocytes was inactive, an irreversible, Ca2+-dependent membrane association of active 5-lipoxygenase could be demonstrated in cell-free systems. To determine whether ionophore treatment induced proteolytic degradation of 5-lipoxygenase, the total activity and protein content of 10,000 X g supernatants from control and ionophore-treated cells were examined. These supernatants, which included both cytosolic and membrane-associated enzyme, showed a 35% loss of 5-lipoxygenase activity but only an 8% loss of enzyme protein as a result of ionophore challenge (2 microM). Therefore, the majority of the loss of 5-lipoxygenase activity was most likely due to suicide inactivation during the LT synthesis, rather than to proteolytic degradation. Together these results are consistent with the hypothesis that ionophore treatment results in a Ca2+-dependent translocation of 5-lipoxygenase from the cytosol to a membrane-bound site, that the membrane-associated enzyme is preferentially utilized for LT synthesis, and that it is consequently inactivated. Thus, membrane translocation of 5-lipoxygenase may be an important initial step in the chain of events leading to full activation of this enzyme in the intact leukocyte.

Reversible, calcium-dependent membrane association of human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase.

Maximal activity of human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase requires Ca2+, ATP, a microsomal membrane preparation, and two cytosolic stimulatory factors. We report here some effects of Ca2+ on the physical properties of the 5-lipoxygenase. When leukocytes were homogenized in the presence of 2 mM EDTA, 5-lipoxygenase was found to be a soluble enzyme. However, when Ca2+ was added to homogenization buffers at 0-1 mM in excess of EDTA, increasing quantities of the enzyme were recovered in the microsomal membrane fraction (100,000 X g pellet). The membrane-associated enzyme was resolubilized by washing pellet preparations in buffers containing 2 mM EDTA and was partially purified by anion-exchange chromatography. Studies of the stimulatory-factor requirements of the membrane-associated, resolubilized, and partially purified enzyme indicated that one of the cytosolic 5-lipoxygenase stimulatory factors exhibited a reversible, Ca2+-dependent membrane association, similar to that of the enzyme itself. Ca2+ also caused a destabilization of the 5-lipoxygenase. Homogenates prepared in the presence of Ca2+ contained lower total enzyme activity, and retention of activity in these samples over time was also diminished.

On the nature of the 5-lipoxygenase reaction in human leukocytes: enzyme purification and requirement for multiple stimulatory factors.

Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase was purified 400-fold from homogenates of human peripheral blood leukocytes by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration chromatography, and HPLC on anion exchange and hydroxylapatite columns. NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified protein revealed the presence of a single major band (apparent Mr, 80,000). Densitometric analysis of the Coomassie blue staining pattern of the gels revealed that a 90-97% purity had been achieved. As has been reported for the 5-lipoxygenase from other mammalian sources, the human leukocyte enzyme required Ca2+ and ATP for maximal activity. In addition, a number of factors were isolated during the course of the purification, which possessed significant 5-lipoxygenase stimulatory activities. These were obtained in a high-speed pellet of leukocyte homogenate, a 60-90% ammonium sulfate precipitate fraction, and the unabsorbed protein from the first anion exchange HPLC step. In the absence of stimulatory factors, little activity was detected in the purified enzyme, even in the presence of Ca2+ and ATP. The specific function of these various factors is unknown, but their existence suggests that the human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase is regulated by a complex mechanism that is likely to play an important role in the control of leukotriene and lipoxin biosynthesis.

Leukotriene C release by macrophages.

Leukotriene C (LTC) and its metabolites leukotriene D and leukotriene E collectively make up the biological activity known as slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis. Murine macrophages are potent sources of LTC (5(S)-hydroxy-6(R)-gamma-glutamylcysteinylglycyl-7,9-trans-11,14-cis-eicosatetr aenoic acid). Peritoneal and pulmonary tissue macrophages synthesize LTC and other arachidonic acid (20:4) metabolites in response to inflammatory stimuli such as unopsonized zymosan and IgG immune complexes. Peritoneal macrophages, in addition, release 20:4 when challenged with IgE immune complexes. These results suggest that macrophages may be a major source of leukotrienes in acute inflammation and also in immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions.

On the nature of the 5-lipoxygenase reaction in human leukocytes: characterization of a membrane-associated stimulatory factor.

When 10,000 X g supernatants of human leukocyte homogenates were subjected to centrifugation at 100,000 X g for 75 min, the activity of 5-lipoxygenase decreased by 30-60%, even though no enzyme was detectable in the resuspended 100,000 X g pellet. Recombination of the 100,000 X g supernatant and pellet resulted in a restoration of the lost enzymatic activity, indicating the presence of a 5-lipoxygenase stimulatory factor in the microsomal membrane preparation. Dialysis of human leukocyte supernatants resulted in an apparent decrease in 5-lipoxygenase activity, but only in samples that contained the membrane-associated stimulatory factor, suggesting that the factor required a small molecular weight component for optimal function. The 5-lipoxygenase stimulatory activity was highly unstable to washing of the 100,000 X g pellet or to incubation (16-20 hr) at 4 degrees C. In contrast, the activity was remarkably stable to heat (100 degrees C for 40 min). The responses of the 12- and 15-lipoxygenases in human leukocyte homogenates to the membrane-associated factor and to dialysis were notably different from that of the 5-lipoxygenase. These results demonstrate, therefore, that the 5-lipoxygenase is unique among the human lipoxygenases, not only in its requirement for Ca2+ and ATP but also in its regulation by a membrane-associated stimulatory factor. The mechanism of action of this regulatory factor is of obvious interest for the understanding of the control of leukotriene and lipoxin biosynthesis.

Single protein from human leukocytes possesses 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene A4 synthase activities.

The activity of leukotriene A4 (LTA4) synthase in crude human leukocyte homogenates was found to have a similar requirement for Ca2+ and ATP as had been noted previously for 5-lipoxygenase activity. Purification of the 5-lipoxygenase using ammonium sulfate fractionation, AcA 44 gel-filtration chromatography, and HPLC on anion-exchange and hydroxyapatite columns demonstrated that LTA4 synthase activity copurified with the 5-lipoxygenase with similar recoveries and increases in specific activity. Furthermore, the two enzymatic activities coeluted exactly on three different HPLC systems. Maximal activity of purified LTA4 synthase required the addition of three nondialyzable stimulatory factors, two of which were cytosolic and one of which was membrane-bound. These findings were identical for 5-lipoxygenase activity. When incubated with arachidonic acid, the purified 5-lipoxygenase converted approximately equal to 15% of its endogenously generated 5-hydroperoxyicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE) to LTA4. LTA4 production was more efficient when the enzyme utilized 5-HPETE generated from arachidonic acid than when 5-HPETE was exogenously supplied as substrate. These findings suggest that a single protein from human leukocytes possesses 5-lipoxygenase and LTA4 synthase activities and that the synthesis of LTA4 from 5-HPETE is controlled by the same complex multicomponent system that regulates the 5-lipoxygenase reaction.

Prostaglandin synthesis by macrophages requires a specific receptor-ligand interaction.

The ingestion of particles by macrophages leads to the prompt induction of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. We have now dissected the endocytic process and examined the requirements of prostaglandin E (PGE) synthesis for particle attachment, membrane interiorization, and phagosome-lysosome fusion. Macrophages that were loaded with the polyanion dextran sulfate and exhibited a greater than 99% inhibition of phagosome-lysosome fusion produced normal amounts of PGE upon challenge with zymosan. Inhibition of membrane interiorization with cytochalasin D was similarly ineffective in blocking PGE synthesis. The addition of large numbers of unmodified polystyrene latex beads, which were readily ingested by macrophages, failed to stimulate PGE synthesis. However, when macrophages were challenged with latex beads coated with immune complexes, an increased synthesis of PGE resulted. No response occurred if the complex was prepared with the F(ab')2 fragment of IgG. Similar results occurred when nonphagocytizable Sephadex beads coated with immune complexes were employed. We conclude that particle binding to the Fc receptor of the macrophage plasma membrane is a sufficient stimulus for PGE synthesis.