Signaling lipids such as diacylglycerol (DAG), phosphatidic acid, and the phosphatidylinositol polyphosphates are site-specific ligands for protein binding partners. Herein, we report the apotheoses of our initial approach to the development of diverse probes which are vital for understanding lipid–protein interactions. When incorporated into liposomes, these probes reduce mammalian diacylglycerol kinase's (DGK) enzymatic activity in a concentration, time, and light dependent manner.