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 7.5. Optimum temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. Remains associated with the cell. Constitutively expressed (PubMed:11050656). Expression is induced in vitro in the presence of phosphatidylcholine. Also induced upon infection of THP-1 macrophages (PubMed:12100560). 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. Some strains seem to lack both plcA and plcB genes, while others lack only plcB. An IS6110 insertion element has been found in strain LCDC-194, interrupting the plcA gene. Belongs to the bacterial phospholipase C family. Truncated N-terminus.