DAGactivated

DAGactivated is a term used in biochemistry and systems biology to describe processes, proteins, or pathways activated by diacylglycerol (DAG), a lipid-derived second messenger. In cellular signaling, DAGactivated commonly refers to proteins with a C1 domain that bind DAG, triggering membrane recruitment and functional activation. The best-known example is the protein kinase C (PKC) family, whose isoforms require DAG for activation alongside calcium, initiating phosphorylation cascades. Other DAG-responsive effectors include RasGRP proteins and Munc13 family members.

Biochemically, DAG is produced when phospholipase C cleaves PIP2 in response to receptor stimulation. DAG remains in the membrane and activates target proteins by binding C1 domains, yielding conformational change and, for kinases, catalytic activity. DAG-activated signaling regulates processes such as cell growth, differentiation, metabolism, neurotransmitter release, and immune responses. Disruptions in DAG signaling have been linked to cancer, metabolic diseases, and neurological disorders.

In computational modeling, DAGactivated can describe nodes that switch on when local DAG levels rise, allowing models to capture lipid-mediated switch-like behavior. The term is not universally formal but appears in reviews and textbooks to summarize DAG-dependent modules. See also diacylglycerol, protein kinase C, and DAG signaling.