Phospholipase C (PLC) is an enzyme critical in cellular signal transduction, where it hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to generate inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG), initiating intracellular calcium release and protein kinase C activation. This pathway plays a pivotal role in various physiological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism.