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. 2015 Nov 15;21(22):5008-12.
doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-15-0413. Epub 2015 Sep 29.

Molecular Pathways: Targeting Diacylglycerol Kinase Alpha in Cancer

Benjamin Purow  1
Affiliations

Molecular Pathways: Targeting Diacylglycerol Kinase Alpha in Cancer

Benjamin Purow. Clin Cancer Res. .

Abstract

Lipid kinases have largely been neglected as targets in cancer, and an increasing number of reports suggest diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKα) may be one with promising therapeutic potential. DGKα is one of 10 DGK family members that convert diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid (PA), and both DAG and PA are critical lipid second messengers in the plasma membrane. A host of important oncogenic proteins and pathways affect cancer cells in part through DGKα, including the c-Met and VEGF receptors. Others partially mediate the effects of DGKα inhibition in cancer, such as mTOR and HIF-1α. DGKα inhibition can directly impair cancer cell viability, inhibits angiogenesis, and notably may also boost T-cell activation and enhance cancer immunotherapies. Although two structurally similar inhibitors of DGKα were established decades ago, they have seen minimal in vivo usage, and it is unlikely that either of these older DGKα inhibitors will have utility for cancer. An abandoned compound that also inhibits serotonin receptors may have more translational potential as a DGKα inhibitor, but more potent and specific DGKα inhibitors are sorely needed. Other DGK family members may also provide therapeutic targets in cancer, but require further investigation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. DGKa regulation and activity
DGKa is located in the nucleus till activated by regulators such as Src, at which point it translocates to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. There it converts diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid, acting as a regulator or mediator of numerous oncogenic pathways.
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