Phospholipase C delta 2 expression characterizes the neoplastic transformation of the human gastric mucosa

The expression, cellular distribution, and activity of PIP2-specific phosph olipase C (PLC) in healthy human gastric-mucosa cells have been recently st udied in our laboratories and a direct evidence for an almost exclusive exp ression of PLC beta isoforms, with the exception of PLC beta4, has been pro vided. These results addressed our attention to possible modification of PL C expression and activity during neoplastic transformation of the human gas tric mucosa. In the present article we present results indicating that PLC delta2 is markedly expressed in type II intestinal metaplasia and in the ad enocarcinoma whereas traces of other PLC isoforms were sometime detected. i nterestingly, we found that type I intestinal metaplasia was in the majorit y of the cases PLC delta2-negative, but when expressed, this type of metapl asia generally considered as benignant, always evolved toward neoplastic tr ansformation. These results therefore readdress the question of surveillanc e of the patients with type I intestinal metaplasia and suggest that PLC de lta2 expression might be a possible marker of gastric malignant transformat ion.