Localization of group IIc low molecular weight phospholipase A2 mRNA to meiotic cells in the mouse

Abstract

We use in situ hybridization to demonstrate that the testicular expression of a novel, mouse, low molecular weight phospholipase A2 (PLA2 Group IIc) mRNA is specific to cells undergoing meiosis. A complete cDNA (1421 bp) encoding the mouse Pla2g2c gene was generated with reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and 5' and 3' RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) RT-PCR, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Northern blots of RNA from different tissues revealed a single 1.6 kb transcript only in testis. In situ hybridization indicated that this mouse gene is transcribed mainly in pachytene spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, and round spermatids. Expression of the gene is seen in all stages of the seminiferous epithelium, especially in stages VI-VII.

A new era of secreted phospholipase A2

“…A cell biological study using Pla2g2c knockdown has shown that sPLA 2 -IIC is upregulated in hepatitis B-infected mouse hepatocytes to produce lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), which is then presented to CD1d on natural killer T cells, leading to propagation of an anti-virus immune response ( 77 ). sPLA 2 -IIC is also expressed in meiotic cells in rodent testis ( 78 ). However, as sPLA 2 -IIC is a pseudogene in humans ( 12 ), analysis of Pla2g2c Ϫ / Ϫ mice has not been performed.…”

Low Molecular Weight Phospholipases A2 in Mammalian Brain and Neural Cells: Roles in Functions and Dysfunctions

“…However, in mice, this isoform is exclusively expressed in the testes and particularly in cells undergoing meiosis [39]. In humans, gene encoding for GIIC is not expressed and appears to be a non-functional pseudogene [40].…”

Secretory Phospholipase A2

“…Expression of sPLA 2 -IIC, a rodent-specific isozyme, in mouse spermatogenic cells was also demonstrated by in situ hybridization. 89) Thus, it is tempting to speculate that these germ cell-associated sPLA 2 s may play a role in the sperm acrosome reaction by producing LPC. The possible role of sPLA 2 s in the acrosome reaction, an exocytosis event in which the acrosomal content is released prior to fertilization, is reminiscent of the ability of sPLA 2 s to promote exocytosis in mast cells and neuroendocrine cells.…”