To provide a novel phospholipase A.sub.2 (PLA.sub.2) associated with
psoriasis, a nucleic acid encoding the same, a method for characterizing,
identifying or screening an inhibitor for the PLA.sub.2 or a medicament;
and a novel method for diagnosis or examination of psoriasis or the like.
A polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 9, a
conservative substitution variant thereof, a naturally occurring allelic
variant thereof, or the like. A nucleic acid encoding the above-mentioned
polypeptide, a complement thereof or the like. A method for
characterizing, identifying or screening an inhibitor for the PLA.sub.2
or a medicament, using the above-mentioned polypeptide. An examination
method for psoriasis, characterized by assaying an expression level of a
gene consisting of the above-mentioned nucleic acid or the like.