The polymerase chain reaction was utilized to determine which of six cloned
phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) messenger RNAs (mRNAs), encoding four distinct
low molecular weight forms of secretory PLA(2) (PLA(2)-IB, PLA(2)-IIA, PLA
(2)-IIC and PLA(2)-V), a calcium-dependent high molecular weight FLAP (PLA(
2)-IV, cPLA(2)) and a calcium-independent high molecular weight PLA(2) (PLA
(2)-VI, iPLA(2)), were expressed in different regions of rat brain and in a
number of peripheral tissues. Pancreatic PLA(2)-IB mRNA was not expressed
in the brain. PLA(2)-IIA, PLA(2)-IV and PLA(2)-VI mRNAs appeared to be ubiq
uitously expressed in brain, with relatively similar levels detected in all
regions. PLA2-IIC mRNA was expressed in ail brain regions but not in any o
f the peripheral tissues studied. PLA(2)-V mRNA was found at low levels in
most areas of the brain, but at very high levels in the hippocampus. These
results indicate that mammalian brain has the potential to express multiple
isoforms of PLA(2) which could be important given the potential role of th
ese enzyme activities in ischaemic damage and in the regulation of synaptic
plasticity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.