Exerts both phospholipase and triglyceride lipase activities (PubMed:12032167, PubMed:10318835, PubMed:10192396). More active as a phospholipase than a triglyceride lipase (PubMed:12032167). Hydrolyzes triglycerides, both with short-chain fatty acyl groups (tributyrin) and long-chain fatty acyl groups (triolein) with similar levels of activity toward both types of substrates (PubMed:12032167). Hydrolyzes high density lipoproteins (HDL) more efficiently than other lipoproteins (PubMed:12032167, PubMed:10192396). a triacylglycerol + H2O = a diacylglycerol + a fatty acid + H(+) a 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + H2O = a 2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + a fatty acid + H(+) 1,2,3-tri-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-glycerol + H2O = (9Z)-octadecenoate + di-(9Z)-octadecenoylglycerol + H(+) 1,2,3-tributanoylglycerol + H2O = butanoate + dibutanoylglycerol + H(+) 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + H2O = H(+) + hexadecanoate + hexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine Inhibited by serum and NaCl. Head to tail homodimer. High level of expression in the liver, placenta, lung, thyroid, kidney, testis and in the corpus luteum of the ovary. Expressed also in coronary artery endothelial cells, umbilical vein endothelial cells and in hepatocytes and osteosarcoma cell lines. Not detected in heart, brain and muscle. It is termed endothelial lipase due to the fact that it is synthesized in endothelial cells, a characteristic that distinguishes it from other members of the family. However, this protein is also expressed in other cell types. Belongs to the AB hydrolase superfamily. Lipase family.