Role of phospholipase A2 in prepulse inhibition of the auditory startle reflex in rats

Abstract

High levels of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) are present in the striatum and cerebral cortex [W.Y. Ong, J.F. Yeo, S.F. Ling, A.A. Farooqui, Distribution of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) in monkey brain, J. Neurocytol. 34 (2005) 447-458], and several clinical investigations have suggested a possible role of altered iPLA2 activity in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. The present study was carried out to elucidate a possible effect of PLA2 on prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex. Rats that received intraperitoneal injection of the non-specific PLA2 inhibitor, quinacrine, showed significantly decreased PPI at 76, 80, and 84 dB, compared to saline injected controls. In addition, rats that received intrastriatal injection of antisense oligonucleotide to iPLA2 showed significant reduction in PPI at prepulse intensities of 76 and 84 dB compared to scrambled sense injected controls. Together, these findings point to a role of PLA2 in PPI of the auditory startle reflex and sensorimotor gating. © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.