CASK: Proteins and Enzymes

Calmodulin sensitive kinase (CASK/mLIN-2) is a ~112-kDa member of the membrane associated quanylate kinase (MAGUK) protein family with multiple protein binding domains. These include an N-terminal calmodulin kinase (CaMKII) domain and C-terminal PDZ, SH3-, and quanylate kinase domains. CASK possesses both tyrosine kinase and serine/threonine kinase activity. In addition, CASK can form a heterotrimeric complex with Mint (X11or mLIN-10) and Veli (mLIN-7) proteins which is predicted to participate in plasma membrane receptor localization. CASK is localized to neuronal synapses and also interacts with syndecan and neurexin. The guanylate kinase domain of CASK has been shown to interact with the T-box transcription factor, Tbr-1, as a coactivator to induce transcription of genes that contain T-elements.