Diacylglycerol

Diacylglycerol is a second messenger molecule made by phospholipase C (a membrane-bound enzyme), together with inositol triphosphate. Although inositol triphosphate diffuses into the cytosol, diacylglycerol stays close to the plasma membrane, due to its hydrophobic properties.

Diacylglycerol has two major functions in the cell:

• as a source for prostaglandins
• stimulation of protein kinase C