DGKZ Gene - Diacylglycerol Kinase Zeta | Function, Mutations & Disease

DGKZ encodes diacylglycerol kinase zeta, a member of the type IV diacylglycerol kinase family. This enzyme phosphorylates diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid, thereby attenuating DAG-mediated signaling pathways, including those involving protein kinase C and RasGRP. DGKZ is involved in immune cell activation, neuronal signaling, and cell proliferation. Alternative splicing generates multiple transcript variants.

Tissue Expression

Cell Line Expression

Hotspot Mutations

Mutation functional classification

• Diacylglycerol (DAG) signaling

• Phosphatidylinositol signaling system

• T cell receptor signaling pathway

• Ras signaling pathway

Diacylglycerol kinase zeta (DGKZ) is a 1048-amino acid protein containing a catalytic domain, two zinc finger-like C1 domains, and a nuclear localization signal. It converts DAG to phosphatidic acid, regulating DAG-dependent signaling. DGKZ is expressed in brain, immune tissues, and testis. It plays roles in T cell activation, neuronal plasticity, and cancer cell proliferation. Mutations leading to loss of function are associated with immune dysfunction and potential tumor suppression.