Biomaterial Database

Group II phospholipase A2 in human male reproductive organs and genital tumors. 1998

M Kallajoki, and K A Alanen, and M Nevalainen, and T J Nevalainen

Department of Pathology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland.

BACKGROUND Group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a lipolytic enzyme suggested to play a role in inflammation and antibacterial defence. In seminal fluid, the concentration of PLA2 is exceedingly high under normal circumstances (about 1,000 times the concentration in blood plasma of healthy humans). To elucidate the origin of the enzyme present in seminal plasma, we investigated the expression of group II PLA2 in male reproductive organs both at protein and mRNA levels. In addition, the presence of the enzyme was studied in common male genital tumors. METHODS The methods used were immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, and Northern blotting. RESULTS Northern blotting gave positive results for group II PLA2 mRNA in normal prostate, whereas other normal genital tissues gave negative results. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization of group II PLA2 gave identical results. The enzyme was produced exclusively by the secretory epithelial cells of the prostatic gland. Surprisingly, expression was restricted to the posterior lobe and paraurethral glands of the prostate. Cells of prostatic adenocarcinoma expressed group II PLA2, whereas cells of other male genital tumors contained neither the enzyme protein nor the mRNA of group II PLA2. In some cases prostatic cancer cell seemed to express group II PLA2 at a higher rate than normal prostatic gland cells. CONCLUSIONS The high content of group II PLA2 in seminal plasma is due to the local production and secretion of the enzyme by the epithelial cells of the prostatic glands. Group II PLA2 is expressed focally, suggesting that specialized prostatic glands secrete this enzyme. All prostatic adenocarcinomas tested expressed group II PLA2 in variable amounts.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D010741	Phospholipases A	Phospholipases that hydrolyze one of the acyl groups of phosphoglycerides or glycerophosphatidates.
D011467	Prostate	A gland in males that surrounds the neck of the URINARY BLADDER and the URETHRA. It secretes a substance that liquefies coagulated semen. It is situated in the pelvic cavity behind the lower part of the PUBIC SYMPHYSIS, above the deep layer of the triangular ligament, and rests upon the RECTUM.	Prostates
D011470	Prostatic Hyperplasia	Increase in constituent cells in the PROSTATE, leading to enlargement of the organ (hypertrophy) and adverse impact on the lower urinary tract function. This can be caused by increased rate of cell proliferation, reduced rate of cell death, or both.	Adenoma, Prostatic,Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia,Prostatic Adenoma,Prostatic Hyperplasia, Benign,Prostatic Hypertrophy,Prostatic Hypertrophy, Benign,Adenomas, Prostatic,Benign Prostatic Hyperplasias,Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy,Hyperplasia, Benign Prostatic,Hyperplasia, Prostatic,Hyperplasias, Benign Prostatic,Hypertrophies, Prostatic,Hypertrophy, Benign Prostatic,Hypertrophy, Prostatic,Prostatic Adenomas,Prostatic Hyperplasias, Benign,Prostatic Hypertrophies
D011471	Prostatic Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the PROSTATE.	Cancer of Prostate,Prostate Cancer,Cancer of the Prostate,Neoplasms, Prostate,Neoplasms, Prostatic,Prostate Neoplasms,Prostatic Cancer,Cancer, Prostate,Cancer, Prostatic,Cancers, Prostate,Cancers, Prostatic,Neoplasm, Prostate,Neoplasm, Prostatic,Prostate Cancers,Prostate Neoplasm,Prostatic Cancers,Prostatic Neoplasm
D012016	Reference Values	The range or frequency distribution of a measurement in a population (of organisms, organs or things) that has not been selected for the presence of disease or abnormality.	Normal Range,Normal Values,Reference Ranges,Normal Ranges,Normal Value,Range, Normal,Range, Reference,Ranges, Normal,Ranges, Reference,Reference Range,Reference Value,Value, Normal,Value, Reference,Values, Normal,Values, Reference
D004822	Epididymis	The convoluted cordlike structure attached to the posterior of the TESTIS. Epididymis consists of the head (caput), the body (corpus), and the tail (cauda). A network of ducts leaving the testis joins into a common epididymal tubule proper which provides the transport, storage, and maturation of SPERMATOZOA.
D005834	Genital Neoplasms, Male	Tumor or cancer of the MALE GENITALIA.	Male Genital Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Male Genital,Genital Neoplasm, Male,Male Genital Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Male Genital
D005837	Genitalia, Male	The male reproductive organs. They are divided into the external organs (PENIS; SCROTUM; and URETHRA) and the internal organs (TESTIS; EPIDIDYMIS; VAS DEFERENS; SEMINAL VESICLES; EJACULATORY DUCTS; PROSTATE; and BULBOURETHRAL GLANDS).	Accessory Sex Organs, Male,Genital Organs, Male,Sex Organs, Accessory, Male,Genitals, Male,Reproductive System, Male,Genital, Male,Male Genital,Male Genital Organs,Male Genitalia,Male Genitals,Male Reproductive System,Male Reproductive Systems,Reproductive Systems, Male
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man