This gene encodes a member of the cytosolic phospholipase A2 protein family. Phospholipase A2 enzymes hydrolyze the sn-2 bond of phospholipids, releasing lysophospholipids and fatty acids. This enzyme may be associated with mitochondria and early endosomes. Most tissues also express read-through transcripts from the upstream gene into this gene, some of which may encode fusion proteins combining the N-terminus of the upstream gene including its JmjC domain with the almost complete coding region of this gene, including the C2 and cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 domains. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]