SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!
24/7 HELPLINE (903) 212-7500
  • PATIENT PORTAL LOGIN

PhyNet Health PhyNet Health

  • Home
  • Find a Clinic
    • Hughes Springs, TX
    • Longview, TX
    • Jefferson, TX
    • Kilgore, TX
    • Lindale, TX
    • Linden, TX
    • Gladewater, TX
    • Lone Star, TX
    • Tatum, TX
    • Marshall, TX
  • Health Services
    • Primary Care Services
    • Physical Therapy / Rehab
    • Allergy Testing & Treatment
    • Chronic Care Management
    • Remote Monitoring Program
    • Virtual Visit
  • Resources
    • MedlinePlus Wiki
      • Health Topics
    • Home Health Coordination
    • Transitions of Care
    • Insurance Help
  • About Phynet
    • About Phynet
    • PhyNet News
    • Better Together Stories
    • Careers
  • Billing

Health Topics

Skip navigation

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You
  • Health Topics
  • Drugs & Supplements
  • Genetics
  • Medical Tests
  • Medical Encyclopedia
  • About MedlinePlus
  • About MedlinePlus
  • What's New
  • Site Map
  • Customer Support
  • Health Topics
  • Drugs & Supplements
  • Genetics
  • Medical Tests
  • Medical Encyclopedia
You Are Here:
Home →
Genetics →
Genes →
DOCK8 gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/dock8/

DOCK8 gene

dedicator of cytokinesis 8

Normal Function

The DOCK8 gene provides instructions for making a member of the DOCK family of proteins. The proteins in this family act as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). GEFs turn on (activate) proteins called GTPases, which play an important role in chemical signaling within cells. Signaling stimulated by DOCK family proteins are typically involved in the arrangement of the structural framework inside cells (the cytoskeleton). By controlling the shape of the cytoskeleton, DOCK family proteins play a role in cell structure and movement (migration).

The DOCK8 protein is found most abundantly in cells of the immune system. This protein plays a critical role in the survival and function of several types of immune system cells, including T cells, NK cells, and B cells. T cells and NK cells recognize and attack foreign invaders, such as viruses, to prevent infection. B cells produce proteins called antibodies, which attach to foreign particles and germs and mark them for destruction.

Through its function as a GEF, the DOCK8 protein helps maintain the structure and integrity of T cells and NK cells. It also aids in the movement of these immune system cells to sites of infection, particularly the skin. The DOCK8 protein is also involved in chemical signaling pathways that stimulate B cells to mature and produce antibodies. The protein is also involved in the normal development and survival of other types of immune system cells.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome

More than 130 mutations in the DOCK8 gene have been found to cause DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome (also called autosomal recessive hyper-IgE syndrome or AR-HIES). DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome is an immune system disorder that causes recurrent severe infections of the skin and respiratory tract. Affected individuals may have other immune system problems, such as allergies, asthma, or an inflammatory skin disorder called eczema. Most of the mutations involved in DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome delete regions of DNA from the DOCK8 gene. These deletions and other DOCK8 gene mutations lead to production of an abnormally short protein or production of no protein. As a result, affected individuals have little or no functional DOCK8 protein.

A shortage of DOCK8 protein impairs normal immune cell development and function. It is thought that T cells lacking DOCK8 protein cannot maintain their shape as they move through dense spaces, such as those found within the skin. The abnormal cells die too easily, resulting in reduced numbers of these cells. A shortage of T cells impairs the immune response to foreign invaders, accounting for the severe skin infections common in DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome. A lack of DOCK8 protein also impairs B cell maturation and the production of certain antibodies. Impairment of this type of immune response leads to recurrent respiratory tract infections in people with this disorder.

For unknown reasons, a reduction of DOCK8 protein results in higher-than-normal production of an immune system protein known as immunoglobulin E (IgE), which plays a role in allergic reactions. As a result, people with DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome have an increased risk of food and environmental allergies.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • 1200017A24Rik
  • dedicator of cytokinesis protein 8 isoform 1
  • dedicator of cytokinesis protein 8 isoform 2
  • dedicator of cytokinesis protein 8 isoform 3
  • epididymis luminal protein 205
  • FLJ00026
  • FLJ00152
  • FLJ00346
  • HEL-205
  • MRD2
  • ZIR8

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

  • Tests of DOCK8 From the National Institutes of Health

Scientific Articles on PubMed

  • PubMed From the National Institutes of Health

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

  • DEDICATOR OF CYTOKINESIS 8; DOCK8

Gene and Variant Databases

  • NCBI Gene From the National Institutes of Health
  • ClinVar From the National Institutes of Health

References

  • Crawford G, Enders A, Gileadi U, Stankovic S, Zhang Q, Lambe T, Crockford TL, Lockstone HE, Freeman A, Arkwright PD, Smart JM, Ma CS, Tangye SG, Goodnow CC, Cerundolo V, Godfrey DI, Su HC, Randall KL, Cornall RJ. DOCK8 is critical for the survival and function of NKT cells. Blood. 2013 Sep 19;122(12):2052-61. doi: 10.1182/blood-2013-02-482331. Epub 2013 Aug 8. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Engelhardt KR, McGhee S, Winkler S, Sassi A, Woellner C, Lopez-Herrera G, Chen A, Kim HS, Lloret MG, Schulze I, Ehl S, Thiel J, Pfeifer D, Veelken H, Niehues T, Siepermann K, Weinspach S, Reisli I, Keles S, Genel F, Kutukculer N, Camcioglu Y, Somer A, Karakoc-Aydiner E, Barlan I, Gennery A, Metin A, Degerliyurt A, Pietrogrande MC, Yeganeh M, Baz Z, Al-Tamemi S, Klein C, Puck JM, Holland SM, McCabe ER, Grimbacher B, Chatila TA. Large deletions and point mutations involving the dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) in the autosomal-recessive form of hyper-IgE syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Dec;124(6):1289-302.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.10.038. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Harada Y, Tanaka Y, Terasawa M, Pieczyk M, Habiro K, Katakai T, Hanawa-Suetsugu K, Kukimoto-Niino M, Nishizaki T, Shirouzu M, Duan X, Uruno T, Nishikimi A, Sanematsu F, Yokoyama S, Stein JV, Kinashi T, Fukui Y. DOCK8 is a Cdc42 activator critical for interstitial dendritic cell migration during immune responses. Blood. 2012 May 10;119(19):4451-61. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-01-407098. Epub 2012 Mar 28. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Jabara HH, McDonald DR, Janssen E, Massaad MJ, Ramesh N, Borzutzky A, Rauter I, Benson H, Schneider L, Baxi S, Recher M, Notarangelo LD, Wakim R, Dbaibo G, Dasouki M, Al-Herz W, Barlan I, Baris S, Kutukculer N, Ochs HD, Plebani A, Kanariou M, Lefranc G, Reisli I, Fitzgerald KA, Golenbock D, Manis J, Keles S, Ceja R, Chatila TA, Geha RS. DOCK8 functions as an adaptor that links TLR-MyD88 signaling to B cell activation. Nat Immunol. 2012 May 13;13(6):612-20. doi: 10.1038/ni.2305. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Lambe T, Crawford G, Johnson AL, Crockford TL, Bouriez-Jones T, Smyth AM, Pham TH, Zhang Q, Freeman AF, Cyster JG, Su HC, Cornall RJ. DOCK8 is essential for T-cell survival and the maintenance of CD8+ T-cell memory. Eur J Immunol. 2011 Dec;41(12):3423-35. doi: 10.1002/eji.201141759. Epub 2011 Nov 10. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Randall KL, Lambe T, Johnson AL, Treanor B, Kucharska E, Domaschenz H, Whittle B, Tze LE, Enders A, Crockford TL, Bouriez-Jones T, Alston D, Cyster JG, Lenardo MJ, Mackay F, Deenick EK, Tangye SG, Chan TD, Camidge T, Brink R, Vinuesa CG, Batista FD, Cornall RJ, Goodnow CC. Dock8 mutations cripple B cell immunological synapses, germinal centers and long-lived antibody production. Nat Immunol. 2009 Dec;10(12):1283-91. doi: 10.1038/ni.1820. Epub 2009 Nov 8. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Su HC, Jing H, Angelus P, Freeman AF. Insights into immunity from clinical and basic science studies of DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome. Immunol Rev. 2019 Jan;287(1):9-19. doi: 10.1111/imr.12723. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Zhang Q, Dove CG, Hor JL, Murdock HM, Strauss-Albee DM, Garcia JA, Mandl JN, Grodick RA, Jing H, Chandler-Brown DB, Lenardo TE, Crawford G, Matthews HF, Freeman AF, Cornall RJ, Germain RN, Mueller SN, Su HC. DOCK8 regulates lymphocyte shape integrity for skin antiviral immunity. J Exp Med. 2014 Dec 15;211(13):2549-66. doi: 10.1084/jem.20141307. Epub 2014 Nov 24. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Zhang Q, Jing H, Su HC. Recent Advances in DOCK8 Immunodeficiency Syndrome. J Clin Immunol. 2016 Jul;36(5):441-9. doi: 10.1007/s10875-016-0296-z. Epub 2016 May 20. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
DNA helix

Genomic Location

The DOCK8 gene is found on chromosome 9.

Related Health Topics

  • Genes and Gene Therapy
  • Genetic Disorders

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Genes
  • Genetics

Understanding Genetics

  • What is DNA?
  • What is a gene?
  • What is a gene variant and how do variants occur?

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

  • About MedlinePlus
  • What's New
  • Site Map
  • Customer Support
  • Subscribe to RSSRSS
  • Connect with NLM
  • NLM Web Policies
  • Copyright
  • Accessibility
  • Guidelines for Links
  • Viewers & Players
  • HHS Vulnerability Disclosure
  • MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs
  • For Developers
National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health
Last updated August 1, 2019
Return to top

Patients

  • Find a Clinic
  • Health Services
  • Complex Case Management
  • MA / Medicare Assistance

Quick Links

  • Billing Information
  • Careers
  • About Phynet
  • PhyNet News

Network Links

  • PrimeCareHomeHealth.com
  • PrimeCareNet.com
  • PrimeCareManagers.com
  • Core-Rehab.com

Home Office

4002 Technology Center Longview TX 75605
Phone: (903) 247-0484
Fax: (903) 247-0485
[email protected]
  • PrimeCareHomeHealth.com
  • PrimeCareNet.com
  • PrimeCareManagers.com
  • Core-Rehab.com
  • GET SOCIAL

© 2021 PhyNet Health • All rights reserved
YOUR LIFE. YOUR CHOICE.

TOP