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

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.