Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 inhibitor impairs spatial memory of mice

Pharmacological blockade of Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is reported to disintegrate hippocampal synaptic plasticity, which is thought to be the cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the Ca2+-independent PLA2 inhibitor bromoenol lactone (BEL) on spontaneous alteration behaviors of mice. When 3 nmol BEL was intracerebroventricularly injected 30 min prior to the test, the mice showed a poor alternation ratio, compared with control animals. The data suggest that Ca2+-independent PLA2 activity is required for spatial memory.