Hexadecyl Methyl Glycerol, also known as AMG-C16 with a hexadecyl chain at the sn-1 position, is a novel inhibitor of protein kinase C with IC50 value of about 80 μM [1].

Protein kinase C is a phospholipid-dependent kinase and the intracellular receptor for phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), a substance that activates both the respiratory burst and protein kinase C. PKC enzymes are activated by signals such as increases in the concentration of diacylglycerol (DAG) or calcium ions (Ca2+) [1].

Hexadecyl Methyl Glycerol is a structural analog of diacylglycerol with a hexadecyl chain at the sn-1 position and a methyl group at the sn-2 position. Hexadecyl Methyl Glycerol inhibited the activation of purified protein kinase C by diacylglycerol in the presence of phosphatidylserine. In neutrophilic granulocytes, Hexadecyl Methyl Glycerol inhibited the respiratory burst induced by PDBu in a dose-dependent way. In neutrophils, Hexadecyl Methyl Glycerol inhibited the phosphorylation of purified 47-kDa protein, an important substrate of protein kinase C [1].

Reference:
[1]. Kramer IM1, van der Bend RL, Tool AT, et al. 1-O-hexadecyl-2-Q-methylglycerol, a novel inhibitor of protein kinase C, inhibits the respiratory burst in human neutrophils. J Biol Chem. 1989 Apr 5;264(10):5876-84.