Despite being discovered over 60 years ago, the precise role of phospholipase D (PLD) is still being elucidated. PLD enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond of glycerophospholipids producing phosphatidic acid and the free headgroup. PLD family members are found in organisms ranging from viruses, and bacteria to plants, and mammals. They display a range of substrate specificities, are regulated by a diverse range of molecules, and have been implicated in a broad range of cellular processes including receptor signaling, cytoskeletal regulation and membrane trafficking. Recent technological advances including: the development of PLD knockout mice, isoform-specific antibodies, and specific inhibitors are finally permitting a thorough analysis of the in vivo role of mammalian PLDs. These studies are facilitating increased recognition of PLD's role in disease states including cancers and Alzheimer's disease, offering potential as a target for therapeutic intervention.

尽管 60 多年前被发现，磷脂酶 D (PLD) 的确切作用仍在阐明中。PLD 酶催化甘油磷脂的磷酸二酯键水解，产生磷脂酸和游离头基。PLD 家族成员存在于从病毒、细菌到植物和哺乳动物的生物体中。它们显示出一系列底物特异性，受多种分子的调节，并涉及广泛的细胞过程，包括受体信号传导、细胞骨架调节和膜运输。最近的技术进步包括：PLD 基因敲除小鼠、异构体特异性抗体和特异性抑制剂的开发最终允许对体内进行彻底分析哺乳动物PLD的作用。这些研究正在促进人们更多地认识到 PLD 在包括癌症和阿尔茨海默病在内的疾病状态中的作用，提供了作为治疗干预目标的潜力。