Diacylglycerol kinase gamma (DGKG)

Diacylglycerol kinase gamma (DGKG) is a lipid-modifying enzyme that catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid (PA), regulating the levels of these two critical second messengers involved in diverse cellular signaling pathways. DGKG is part of the type I subfamily of diacylglycerol kinases, featuring EF-hand domains that contribute to its regulation and function. Its activity modulates processes such as cell morphology, metabolic homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, cytoskeletal dynamics, and cell cycle regulation[1][2][3]. DGKG has key roles in the central nervous system, particularly in the cerebellum—impacting Purkinje cell development and motor coordination through regulation of protein kinase C gamma. Aberrations in DGKG expression or function have been implicated in several diseases, including various cancers, neurological disorders like epilepsy and ataxia, and metabolic and cardiovascular conditions[1][2][3]. Currently, there are no well-characterized direct pharmacologic modulators in clinical use, but altered expression and functional status of DGKG are associated with disease progression and prognosis, making it a potential therapeutic and biomarker target[1][2].

Other names

DGKGDAGK3DGK-gammaDGK-GAMMAdiacylglycerol kinase, gamma 90kDadiglyceride kinase gammaDAG kinase gammaDAG kinase γdiacylglyerol kinase gamma

Inhibition or modulation of enzymatic activity alters DAG and PA signaling pathways Modulation of protein kinase C gamma-dependent signaling