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CASK gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/cask/

CASK gene

calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase

Normal Function

The CASK gene provides instructions for making a protein called calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK). The CASK protein is primarily found in nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, where it helps control the activity (expression) of other genes that are involved in brain development. It also helps regulate the movement of chemicals called neurotransmitters and of charged atoms (ions), which are necessary for signaling between neurons. Research suggests that the CASK protein may also interact with the protein produced from another gene, FRMD7, to promote development of the nerves that control eye movement (the oculomotor neural network).

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

CASK-related intellectual disability

More than 35 CASK gene mutations have been identified in people with CASK-related intellectual disability. This disorder affects brain development and has two main forms: a severe form called microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH), and a milder form called X-linked intellectual disability (XL-ID) with or without nystagmus.

The mutations that cause CASK-related intellectual disability affect the role of the CASK protein in brain development and function. MICPCH is caused by mutations that eliminate CASK function, while mutations that impair the function of this protein cause XL-ID with or without nystagmus. Nystagmus refers to rapid, involuntary back-and-forth eye movements. Affected individuals with nystagmus may have CASK gene mutations that disrupt the interaction between the CASK protein and the protein produced from the FRMD7 gene, leading to problems with the development of the oculomotor neural network and resulting in abnormal eye movements.

More About This Health Condition

FG syndrome

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about FG syndrome

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (MAGUK family)
  • CAMGUK
  • CMG
  • CSKP_HUMAN
  • hCASK
  • LIN2
  • protein lin-2 homolog
  • TNRC8

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Burglen L, Chantot-Bastaraud S, Garel C, Milh M, Touraine R, Zanni G, Petit F, Afenjar A, Goizet C, Barresi S, Coussement A, Ioos C, Lazaro L, Joriot S, Desguerre I, Lacombe D, des Portes V, Bertini E, Siffroi JP, de Villemeur TB, Rodriguez D. Spectrum of pontocerebellar hypoplasia in 13 girls and boys with CASK mutations: confirmation of a recognizable phenotype and first description of a male mosaic patient. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2012 Mar 27;7:18. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-7-18. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Hackett A, Tarpey PS, Licata A, Cox J, Whibley A, Boyle J, Rogers C, Grigg J, Partington M, Stevenson RE, Tolmie J, Yates JR, Turner G, Wilson M, Futreal AP, Corbett M, Shaw M, Gecz J, Raymond FL, Stratton MR, Schwartz CE, Abidi FE. CASK mutations are frequent in males and cause X-linked nystagmus and variable XLMR phenotypes. Eur J Hum Genet. 2010 May;18(5):544-52. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2009.220. Epub 2009 Dec 23. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Hayashi S, Okamoto N, Chinen Y, Takanashi J, Makita Y, Hata A, Imoto I, Inazawa J. Novel intragenic duplications and mutations of CASK in patients with mental retardation and microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH). Hum Genet. 2012 Jan;131(1):99-110. doi: 10.1007/s00439-011-1047-0. Epub 2011 Jul 7. Citation on PubMed
  • Hsueh YP. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase and mental retardation. Ann Neurol. 2009 Oct;66(4):438-43. doi: 10.1002/ana.21755. Citation on PubMed
  • Moog U, Kutsche K, Kortum F, Chilian B, Bierhals T, Apeshiotis N, Balg S, Chassaing N, Coubes C, Das S, Engels H, Van Esch H, Grasshoff U, Heise M, Isidor B, Jarvis J, Koehler U, Martin T, Oehl-Jaschkowitz B, Ortibus E, Pilz DT, Prabhakar P, Rappold G, Rau I, Rettenberger G, Schluter G, Scott RH, Shoukier M, Wohlleber E, Zirn B, Dobyns WB, Uyanik G. Phenotypic spectrum associated with CASK loss-of-function mutations. J Med Genet. 2011 Nov;48(11):741-51. doi: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2011-100218. Epub 2011 Sep 27. Citation on PubMed
  • Moog U, Kutsche K. CASK Disorders. 2013 Nov 26 [updated 2020 May 21]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2025. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK169825/ Citation on PubMed
  • Najm J, Horn D, Wimplinger I, Golden JA, Chizhikov VV, Sudi J, Christian SL, Ullmann R, Kuechler A, Haas CA, Flubacher A, Charnas LR, Uyanik G, Frank U, Klopocki E, Dobyns WB, Kutsche K. Mutations of CASK cause an X-linked brain malformation phenotype with microcephaly and hypoplasia of the brainstem and cerebellum. Nat Genet. 2008 Sep;40(9):1065-7. doi: 10.1038/ng.194. Citation on PubMed
  • Watkins RJ, Patil R, Goult BT, Thomas MG, Gottlob I, Shackleton S. A novel interaction between FRMD7 and CASK: evidence for a causal role in idiopathic infantile nystagmus. Hum Mol Genet. 2013 May 15;22(10):2105-18. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt060. Epub 2013 Feb 12. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central

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