6nid

Structural highlights

Disease

[CSKP_HUMAN] Defects in CASK are the cause of mental retardation and microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH) [MIM:300749]. A disorder characterized by significantly below average general intellectual functioning associated with impairments in adaptative behavior and manifested during the developmental period. Patients with mental retardation X-linked CASK-related can manifest a severe phenotype consisting of severe intellectual deficit, congenital or postnatal microcephaly, disproportionate brainstem and cerebellar hypoplasia. A milder phenotype consists of mental retardation alone or associated with nystagmus.^[1] Defects in CASK are the cause of FG syndrome type 4 (FGS4) [MIM:300422]. FG syndrome (FGS) is an X-linked disorder characterized by mental retardation, relative macrocephaly, hypotonia and constipation.^[2] [NRX1A_HUMAN] Pitt-Hopkins-like syndrome;NON RARE IN EUROPE: Autism. The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Disease susceptibility may be associated with variations affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Function

[CSKP_HUMAN] Multidomain scaffolding protein with a role in synaptic transmembrane protein anchoring and ion channel trafficking. Contributes to neural development and regulation of gene expression via interaction with the transcription factor TRB1. Binds to cell-surface proteins, including amyloid precursor protein, neurexins and syndecans. May mediate a link between the extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton via its interaction with syndecan and with the actin/spectrin-binding protein 4.1. [NRX1A_HUMAN] Cell surface protein involved in cell-cell-interactions, exocytosis of secretory granules and regulation of signal transmission. Function is isoform-specific. Alpha-type isoforms have a long N-terminus with six laminin G-like domains and play an important role in synaptic signal transmission. Alpha-type isoforms play a role in the regulation of calcium channel activity and Ca(2+)-triggered neurotransmitter release at synapses and at neuromuscular junctions. They play an important role in Ca(2+)-triggered exocytosis of secretory granules in pituitary gland. They may effect their functions at synapses and in endocrine cells via their interactions with proteins from the exocytotic machinery. Likewise, alpha-type isoforms play a role in regulating the activity of postsynaptic NMDA receptors, a subtype of glutamate-gated ion channels. Both alpha-type and beta-type isoforms may play a role in the formation or maintenance of synaptic junctions via their calcium-dependent interactions (via the extracellular domains) with neuroligin family members, CBLN1 or CBLN2. In vitro, triggers the de novo formation of presynaptic structures. May be involved in specification of excitatory synapses. Alpha-type isoforms were first identified as receptors for alpha-latrotoxin from spider venom (By similarity).

References

1. ↑ 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. PMID:19165920 doi:10.1038/ng.194
2. ↑ Piluso G, D'Amico F, Saccone V, Bismuto E, Rotundo IL, Di Domenico M, Aurino S, Schwartz CE, Neri G, Nigro V. A missense mutation in CASK causes FG syndrome in an Italian family. Am J Hum Genet. 2009 Feb;84(2):162-77. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2008.12.018. Epub 2009, Feb 5. PMID:19200522 doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2008.12.018