CDKL5
Encyclopedia
CDKL5 is a gene
that provides instructions for making a protein
called cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 also known as serine/threonine kinase 9 (STK9) that is essential for normal brain development. Although little is known about the protein's function, it may play a role in regulating the activity of other genes. The CDKL5 protein acts as a kinase
, which is an enzyme that changes the activity of other proteins by adding a cluster of oxygen
and phosphate
atoms (a phosphate group) at specific positions. Researchers have not determined which proteins are targeted by the CDKL5 protein.
(though much less frequently than MECP2
). At least 10 mutations in the CDKL5 gene have been identified in girls with an atypical form of Rett syndrome known as the early-onset seizure variant. This severe form of the disorder includes many of the features of classic Rett syndrome (including developmental problems, loss of language skills, and repeated hand wringing or hand washing movements), but also causes recurrent seizures beginning in infancy. Some CDKL5 mutations change a single protein building block (amino acid
) in a region of the CDKL5 protein that is critical for its kinase function. Other mutations lead to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of the protein. Researchers are working to determine how these changes result in seizures and the characteristic features of Rett syndrome in affected children.
Mutations in the CDKL5 gene also cause a disorder called X-linked infantile spasm syndrome (ISSX) or West syndrome
. Like the early-onset seizure variant of Rett syndrome, X-linked infantile spasm syndrome is characterized by recurrent seizures that begin in infancy. Children with this condition also have severe to profound intellectual disability and may have other brain abnormalities. The CDKL5 mutations responsible for X-linked infantile spasm syndrome lead to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of the CDKL5 protein. It remains uncertain how these defects cause seizures and intellectual disability.
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
that provides instructions for making a protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
called cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 also known as serine/threonine kinase 9 (STK9) that is essential for normal brain development. Although little is known about the protein's function, it may play a role in regulating the activity of other genes. The CDKL5 protein acts as a kinase
Kinase
In chemistry and biochemistry, a kinase is a type of enzyme that transfers phosphate groups from high-energy donor molecules, such as ATP, to specific substrates, a process referred to as phosphorylation. Kinases are part of the larger family of phosphotransferases...
, which is an enzyme that changes the activity of other proteins by adding a cluster of oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
and phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...
atoms (a phosphate group) at specific positions. Researchers have not determined which proteins are targeted by the CDKL5 protein.
Mutations
CDKL5 is associated with Rett syndromeRett syndrome
Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder of the grey matter of the brain that almost exclusively affects females. The clinical features include small hands and feet and a deceleration of the rate of head growth . Repetitive hand movements, such as wringing and/or repeatedly putting hands into...
(though much less frequently than MECP2
MECP2
MECP2 is a gene that provides instructions for making its protein product, MECP2, also referred to as MeCP2. MECP2 appears to be essential for the normal function of nerve cells. The protein seems to be particularly important for mature nerve cells, where it is present in high levels...
). At least 10 mutations in the CDKL5 gene have been identified in girls with an atypical form of Rett syndrome known as the early-onset seizure variant. This severe form of the disorder includes many of the features of classic Rett syndrome (including developmental problems, loss of language skills, and repeated hand wringing or hand washing movements), but also causes recurrent seizures beginning in infancy. Some CDKL5 mutations change a single protein building block (amino acid
Amino acid
Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group and a side-chain that varies between different amino acids. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen...
) in a region of the CDKL5 protein that is critical for its kinase function. Other mutations lead to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of the protein. Researchers are working to determine how these changes result in seizures and the characteristic features of Rett syndrome in affected children.
Mutations in the CDKL5 gene also cause a disorder called X-linked infantile spasm syndrome (ISSX) or West syndrome
West syndrome
West syndrome or West's Syndrome is an uncommon to rare epileptic disorder in infants. It is named after the English physician, William James West , who first described it in an article published in The Lancet in 1841. The original case actually described his own son, James Edwin West...
. Like the early-onset seizure variant of Rett syndrome, X-linked infantile spasm syndrome is characterized by recurrent seizures that begin in infancy. Children with this condition also have severe to profound intellectual disability and may have other brain abnormalities. The CDKL5 mutations responsible for X-linked infantile spasm syndrome lead to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of the CDKL5 protein. It remains uncertain how these defects cause seizures and intellectual disability.