School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK.
Biochem Soc Trans. 2012 Feb;40(1):282-6. doi: 10.1042/BST20110622.
The most recently identified PLC (phospholipase C) enzymes belong to the PLCη family. Their unique Ca2+-sensitivity and their specific appearance in neurons have attracted great attention since their discovery; however, their physiological role(s) in neurons are still yet to be established. PLCη enzymes are expressed in the neocortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. PLCη2 is also expressed at high levels in pituitary gland, pineal gland and in the retina. Driven by the specific localization of PLCη enzymes in different brain areas, in the present paper, we discuss the roles that they may play in neural processes, including differentiation, memory formation, circadian rhythm regulation, neurotransmitter/hormone release and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders associated with aberrant Ca2+ signalling, such as Alzheimer's disease.
最近发现的 PLC（磷脂酶 C）酶属于 PLCη 家族。自发现以来，由于其独特的 Ca2+敏感性和在神经元中的特异性出现，引起了人们的极大关注；然而，它们在神经元中的生理作用仍有待确定。PLCη 酶在大脑皮层、海马体和小脑表达。PLCη2 在垂体、松果体和视网膜中也高表达。由于 PLCη 酶在不同脑区的特异性定位，在本文中，我们讨论了它们在神经过程中可能发挥的作用，包括分化、记忆形成、昼夜节律调节、神经递质/激素释放以及与异常 Ca2+信号相关的神经退行性疾病的发病机制，如阿尔茨海默病。
