In view of the important oncogenic action of phospholipase A(2)(PLA(2)) we investigated PLA(2) transcripts in human meningiomas. Real-time PCR was used to investigate PLA(2) transcripts in 26 human meningioma tumors. Results indicated that three Ca(2+)-dependent high molecular weight PLA(2) (PLA(2)-IVA, PLA(2)-IVB, PLA(2)-IVC), one Ca(2+)-independent high molecular weight PLA(2) (PLA(2)-VI) and five low molecular weight secreted forms of PLA(2) (PLA(2)-IB, PLA(2)-IIA, PLA(2)-III, PLA(2)-V, and PLA(2)-XII) are expressed with PLA(2)-IVA, PLA(2)-IVB, PLA(2)-VI, and PLA(2)-XIIA as the major expressed forms. PLA(2)-IIE, PLA(2)-IIF, PLA(2)-IVD, and PLA(2)-XIIB are not detected. Plasma (PLA(2)-VIIA) and intracellular (PLA(2)-VIIB) platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase transcripts are expressed in human meningiomas. However no difference was found for PLA(2) transcript amounts in relation to the tumor grade, the subtype of meningiomas, the presence of inflammatory infiltrated cells, of an associated edema, mitosis, brain invasion, vascularisation or necrosis. In conclusion numerous genes encoding multiples forms of PLA(2) are expressed in meningiomas where they might act on the phospholipid remodeling and on the local eicosanoid and/or cytokine networks.