“…The PLA 2 family includes several relatively unrelated proteins, among which are the following: the low molecular weight secreted enzymes (sPLA 2 s), which have been implicated in eicosanoid generation, inflammation, host defense, and atherosclerosis (5); the cytosolic Ca 2ϩ -independent group VI PLA 2 s, which have been reported to have roles in phospholipid homeostasis and membrane remodeling (6); and the group IV cytosolic PLA 2 s, which include six high molecular mass enzymes in Mus musculus (as PLA 2 IV␣ to PLA 2 IV), with three newly cloned isoforms (7). PLA 2 IV␣ has an essential role in initiation of the arachidonate pathway, and it is mainly involved in inflammation, intestinal ulceration, acute lung injury, anaphylaxis, and parturition, as shown through the PLA 2 IV␣ knockout mouse approach (8 -10).…”