Diacylglycerol kinase in the central nervous system--molecular heterogeneity and gene expression.

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is one of the important second messengers, which serves as an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). DAG kinase (DGK) phosphorylates DAG to generate phosphatidic acid, thus DGK is considered to be a regulator of PKC activity through attenuation of DAG. Recent studies have revealed molecular structures of several DGK isozymes from mammalian species, and showed that most of the isozymes are expressed in the brain in various amounts. We have cloned four DGK isozyme cDNAs from rat brain library (DGK alpha, -beta, -gamma, and -zeta) (previously also designated DGK-I, -II, -III, and -IV, respectively) and examined their mRNA expressions in rat brain by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Interestingly, it is revealed that the mRNA for each isozyme is expressed in a distinct pattern in the brain; DGK alpha is expressed in oligodendrocytes, glial cells that form myelin; DGK beta in neurons of the caudate-putamen; DGK gamma predominantly in the cerebellar Purkinje cells; and DGK zeta in the cerebellar and cerebral cortices. Molecular diversity and distinct expression patterns of DGK isozymes suggest a physiological importance for the enzyme in brain function. Furthermore, functional implications of these DGK isozymes are briefly discussed.