Diacylglycerol kinase beta (DGKB) (DGKB)

Diacylglycerol kinase beta (DGKB) is an enzyme that plays a critical role in lipid-mediated signal transduction by converting the second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG) into phosphatidic acid (PA) [1, 2]. By regulating the intracellular levels of DAG, DGKB effectively modulates the activity of Protein Kinase C (PKC) and other DAG-responsive proteins, while simultaneously generating PA, which has its own signaling functions in cell growth and membrane trafficking [1, 5]. DGKB is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system, particularly in the striatum and hippocampus, where it is involved in synaptic plasticity and neuronal morphology [1, 3]. Genetic studies have strongly linked variations in the DGKB gene to susceptibility for bipolar disorder and alterations in glucose metabolism, making it a target of interest for both psychiatric and metabolic conditions [3, 4]. While specific therapeutic agents targeting DGKB mRNA or the protein are currently in the research phase, the enzyme represents a key node in the phosphoinositide signaling pathway [2, 5]. Modulating DGKB activity offers a potential strategy for restoring signaling balance in disorders characterized by DAG/PA dysregulation [3, 5].

Other names

DAGK2DGK-betaDiacylglycerol kinase beta 90kDa90 kDa diacylglycerol kinaseDiglyceride kinase beta

DGKB catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid (PA), thereby terminating DAG-mediated signaling (such as PKC activation) and initiating PA-mediated signaling pathways [1, 2].