Role of phospholipase C-L2, a novel phospholipase C-like protein that lacks lipase activity, in B-cell receptor signaling

Phospholipase C (PLC) plays important roles in phosphoinositide turnover by regulating the calcium-protein kinase C signaling pathway. PLC-L2 is a novel PLC-like protein which lacks PLC activity, although it is very homologous with PLC delta. PLC-L2 is expressed in hematopoietic cells, but its physiological roles and intracellular functions in the immune system have not yet been clarified. To elucidate the physiological function of PLC-L2, we generated mice which had a genetic PLC-L2 deficiency. PLC-L2-deficient mice grew with no apparent abnormalities. However, mature B cells from PLC-L2-deficient mice were hyperproliferative in response to B-cell receptor (BCR) cross-linking, although B2 cell development appeared to be normal. Molecular biological analysis revealed that calcium influx and NFATc accumulation in nuclei were increased in PLC-L2-deficient B cells. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity was also enhanced in PLC-L2-deficient B cells. These mice had a stronger T-cell-independent antigen response. These results indicate that PLC-L2 is a novel negative regulator of BCR signaling and immune responses.