Diol lipids are activators of protein kinase C.

Diol lipids (dioleoyl- and dioctanoylethylene glycol) at relatively low concentrations (approximately 10 microM) were found to activate significantly protein kinase C in the presence of phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylinositol. Since diol lipids are widespread minor lipid constituents of many cells [(1974) Chem. Ind., 597-604], it has been suggested that they may be involved in the maintaining of basal protein kinase C activity in the absence of external stimuli.