LOCALIZATION OF GROUP-IIC LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT PHOSPHOLIPASE A(2) MESSENGER-RNA TO MEIOTIC CELLS IN THE MOUSE

We use in situ hybridization to demonstrate that the testicular expres sion of a novel, mouse, low molecular weight phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2 ) Group IIc) mRNA is specific to cells undergoing meiosis. A complete cDNA (1421 bp) encoding the mouse Pla2g2c gene was generated with reve rse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and 5' and 3' RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) RT-PCR, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Nor thern blots of RNA from different tissues revealed a single 1.6 kb tra nscript only in testis. In situ hybridization indicated that this mous e gene is transcribed mainly in pachytene spermatocytes, secondary spe rmatocytes, and round spermatids. Expression of the gene is seen in al l stages of the seminiferous epithelium, especially in stages VI-VII. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.