DGKζ is degraded through the cytoplasmic ubiquitin-proteasome system under excitotoxic conditions, which causes neuronal apoptosis because of aberrant cell cycle reentry

► Excitotoxic stimuli induce DGKζ nucleocytoplasmic translocation in neurons. ► We examined the functional relation linking DGKζ and neuronal death. ► Cytoplasmic DGKζ is degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. ► Disappearance of nuclear DGKζ increases the expression of cell cycle proteins. ► DGKζ-null neurons are vulnerable to apoptosis due to aberrant cell cycle reentry.