The protein encoded by this gene catalyzes the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol from phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) plays a crucial role in the initiation of receptor mediated signal transduction through the generation of the two second messengers, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and diacylglycerol from phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. There are many mammalian PLC isozymes. PLCg1 is widely distributed in bronchiolar epithelium, type I and II pneumocytes and fibroblasts of the interstitial tissue. PLCg1 is rapidly activated in response to growth factor stimulation and plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. It may also have a protective function during cellular response to oxidative stress.
