Diacylglycerol signaling pathway (DAG signaling)

Diacylglycerol-mediated cell signaling refers not to a single molecule or receptor but rather to a cellular signal transduction mechanism in which diacylglycerol (DAG), a lipid-derived second messenger, plays a central role. Upon activation of certain receptors—most notably G protein-coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases—phospholipase C cleaves phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) into two second messengers: cytosolic inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and membrane-bound DAG. While IP3 mobilizes calcium from intracellular stores, DAG remains at the plasma membrane and activates protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and other effector proteins involved in regulating gene expression, cell growth, metabolism, immune responses, and more[1][2][4]. The duration and intensity of DAG signaling are tightly regulated by diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs), which convert DAG into phosphatidic acid—a process that both terminates DAG signals and contributes to membrane lipid recycling[1][3]. Dysregulation of this system is implicated in diseases such as cancer—in part through aberrant PKC activity—and inflammatory conditions like asthma due to effects on immune cells and smooth muscle contraction/proliferation[3][5]. Because "diacylglycerol-mediated cell signaling modulation" describes an entire signaling process rather than a discrete molecular target such as an enzyme or receptor protein, it is not considered a therapeutic target per se. Instead, individual components within this pathway—such as specific PKC isoforms or DGK family members—are recognized drug targets. In summary: > "Diacylglycerol-mediated cell signaling modulation" is not itself a molecular target but denotes the regulation of cellular processes via the second messenger diacylglycerol. The key effectors include protein kinase C family members among others. Therapeutic interventions focus on these downstream molecules rather than on 'DAG modulation' generically.[1][2][4]

Other names

Diacylglycerol-mediated cell signalingDAG pathwayIP3/DAG pathway

Modulation of protein kinase C activation