Involved in virulence (PubMed:20736081). Induces cytotoxic effects on mouse macrophage cell lines, via direct or indirect enzymatic hydrolysis of cell membrane phospholipids (PubMed:20736081). Hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin (PubMed:8757862, PubMed:20736081). Does not have hemolytic activity (PubMed:20736081). a 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + H2O = a 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol + H(+) + phosphocholine a sphingomyelin + H2O = an N-acylsphing-4-enine + H(+) + phosphocholine 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + H2O = 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycerol + H(+) + phosphocholine Optimum pH is 8. Optimum temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. Remains associated with the cell. Expression is induced in vitro in the presence of phosphatidylcholine. Also induced upon infection of THP-1 macrophages. Predicted to be exported by the Tat system. The position of the signal peptide cleavage has not been experimentally proven. Polymorphism was discovered in the phospholipase plcA/B/C region. Belongs to the bacterial phospholipase C family. Truncated N-terminus.