Diacylglycerol Kinase Iota (DGKi)

DGKi is a member of the type IV diacylglycerol kinase subfamily. Diacylglycerol kinases regulate the intracellular concentration of diacylglycerol through its phosphorylation, producing phosphatidic acid. The specific role of the enzyme encoded by this gene is undetermined, however, it may play a crucial role in the production of phosphatidic acid in the retina or in recessive forms of retinal degeneration.

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) plays a key role in cellular processes by regulating the intracellular concentration of the second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG). For background information on the DGKs. Type IV DGKs, such as DGK-zeta, contain 4 C-terminal ankyrin repeats and a MARCKS homology domain.