Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the oncology field. Despite the success, new molecular targets are needed to increase the percentage of patients that benefits from this therapy. Diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKα) has gathered great attention as a potential molecular target in immunotherapy because of its role in cancer proliferation and immunosuppression. DGKα catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of diacylglycerol (DAG) to produce phosphatidic acid (PA). Since both lipids are potent signaling messengers, DGKα acts as a switch between different signaling pathways. Its role in cancer and immunosuppression has long been ascribed to the regulation of DAG/PA levels. However, this paradigm has been challenged with the identification of DGKα substrate acyl chain specificity, which suggests its role in signaling could be specific to DAG/PA molecular species. In several biological processes where DGKα plays a role, large membrane morphological changes take place. DGKα substrate specificity depends on the shape of the membrane that the enzyme binds to. Hence, DGKα can act as a bridge between large membrane morphological changes and the regulation of specific molecular species of DAG/PA. Bearing in mind the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting DGKα, here, the role of DGKα in cancer and T cell biology with a focus on the modulation of its enzymatic properties by membrane shape is reviewed. The goal is to contribute to a global understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing DGKα biology. This will pave the way for future experimentation and, consequently, the design of better, more potent therapeutic strategies aiming at improving the health outcomes of cancer patients.
Keywords: cancer; cellular signaling; diacylglycerol; diacylglycerol kinase α; immune surveillance; immunotherapy; phosphatidic acid; regulation of enzymes by membrane shape; substrate acyl chain specificity.