Lipid second messengers play various important roles in cell signalling, serving as intermediates that transmit signals from the cell surface to the intracellular environment. They are derived from membrane lipids and act as key players in numerous cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism. One prominent group of lipid second messengers are the phosphoinositides, which are derived from phosphatidylinositol (PI) lipids present in the plasma membrane. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) serves as a precursor for several signalling molecules. Upon activation of certain receptors, phospholipase C (PLC) cleaves PIP2 into inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). IP3 is then free to diffuse into the cytoplasm, binding to IP3 receptors on the endoplasmic reticulum, inducing the release of calcium ions (Ca2+). Elevated Ca2+ levels act as a signalling event triggering various cellular responses. In neurons, IP3-induced Ca2+ release leads to synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release. DAG, the other product of PIP2 cleavage, remains in the plasma membrane, also acting as a second messenger. DAG activates protein kinase C (PKC) family members, a family of serine/threonine kinases, by binding to their C1 domains. Activated PKC then phosphorylates downstream targets and in smooth muscle cells, PKC activation by DAG leads to smooth muscle contraction. PIP3, or phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate, is another crucial molecule involved in cell signalling pathways. PIP3 acts as a second messenger, relaying signals from the cell membrane to the cytoplasm and nucleus to initiate various cellular responses. The production of PIP3 occurs through the phosphorylation of PIP2 by a class of enzymes called phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks). PIP3 serves as a docking site for proteins possessing pleckstrin homology (PH) domains, which include key signalling proteins like protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) and phospholipase C-gamma (PLCγ). Upon binding to PIP3, PH domain-containing proteins undergo activating conformational changes and recruitment to the cell membrane allowing them to interact with other signalling molecules, initiating a cascade of events that regulate cell growth, survival, proliferation, and metabolism. For example, activated PKB/Akt promotes cell survival and growth by phosphorylating downstream targets involved in cell survival pathways, protein synthesis, and metabolism. The levels of PIP3 are tightly regulated by the opposing activity of phosphatases such as PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) which dephosphorylate PIP3 back to PIP2. This regulation is critical to maintaining proper cell signalling and preventing aberrant activation of signalling pathways. Another group of lipid second messengers called eicosanoids also play significant roles in cell signalling. Eicosanoids are derived from arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid found in cell membranes. They include prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes, which exert diverse effects on inflammation, immune response, and smooth muscle contraction. Prostaglandins, for instance, mediate pain and fever responses and regulate blood pressure by modulating vascular tone. Finally, there are several other lipid second messengers involved in cell signalling. Sphingolipids, including sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), ceramide, and sphingosine, have emerged as important signalling molecules in diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation, survival, and migration. S1P, for instance, functions as a potent signalling molecule in angiogenesis, regulating blood vessel formation. We offer a wide product range of research tools for studying lipid second messengers, including VLDL Receptor antibodies. Explore our full lipid messengers product range below and discover more, for less.