Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Structural Biology and Analytical Chemistry Approaches for Characterizing C-Glycoside Metabolic Enzymes in Human Gut Microbiota
Published on: May 23, 2025
DGK-θ: Structure, Enzymology, and Physiological Roles
Becky Tu-Sekine1, Hana L Goldschmidt1, Daniel M Raben1
1Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA.
Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) regulate cell signaling by converting diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid. This review details the structure, function, and roles of the understudied DGK-θ isoform.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Enzymology
Background:
- Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are crucial enzymes in cell signaling.
- They catalyze the conversion of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid (PtdOH).
- DGKs play a role in the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) cycle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of Diacylglycerol kinase-theta (DGK-θ).
- To explore the structure, enzymology, regulation, and physiological roles of DGK-θ.
- To identify future research directions for DGK-θ.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on DGKs, with a focus on DGK-θ.
- Analysis of structural, enzymatic, regulatory, and functional data.
- Synthesis of information to provide a comprehensive overview.
Main Results:
- Mammalian DGKs comprise ten isoforms organized into five classes.
- DGK-θ is the sole member of the Type V DGK class.
- DGK-θ is one of the least studied DGK isoforms, with limited information available.
Conclusions:
- DGK-θ remains a poorly understood enzyme within the DGK family.
- Further research is needed to elucidate its specific structure, regulation, and physiological functions.
- Understanding DGK-θ is essential for a complete picture of DGK-mediated signaling pathways.
More Related Videos
11:27X-Ray Crystallography to Study the Oligomeric State Transition of the Thermotoga maritima M42 Aminopeptidase TmPep1050
Published on: May 13, 2020
08:31Anaerobic Protein Purification and Kinetic Analysis via Oxygen Electrode for Studying DesB Dioxygenase Activity and Inhibition
Published on: October 3, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Enzymes
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...
Enzyme-linked Receptors
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Enzyme-linked Receptors
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Catalytically Perfect Enzymes
Most enzymes...
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...