Diacylglycerol Kinase Alpha (DGKA)

Diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKA) is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid (PA). Both DAG and PA are lipid second messengers involved in various cellular signaling pathways. DGKA plays a critical role in regulating the balance between DAG and PA levels, influencing cell proliferation, survival, immune responses, and cancer progression. DGKA is overexpressed in several cancers and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target. Inhibition of DGKA can impair tumor growth, enhance anti-tumor immunity, and potentially improve the efficacy of immunotherapies.

Other names

DAGKDAGK1DGK-alphaDiacylglycerol kinase alpha

Inhibition of diacylglycerol kinase alpha, leading to increased diacylglycerol levels and decreased phosphatidic acid levels, modulating downstream signaling pathways such as PKC, Ras, mTOR, and NF-kB. In T cells, inhibiting DGKA increases DAG levels to overcome anergy and reinvigorate their anti-tumor activity. Macrophage responsiveness also increases when DGKA is inhibited.