DCLK1: Proteins and Enzymes

Doublecortin-like and CAM Kinase-like 1 (DCLK1), also known as DCAMKL1, is a member of the CaMK subfamily of Ser/Thr protein kinases. Human DCLK1 is 740 amino acids (aa) in length with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 82 kDa. It shares 96% aa sequence identity with the mouse ortholog. DCLK1 contains two doublecortin domains, located at aa 57-143 and 186-269, and a protein kinase domain at aa 390-647.

Alternative splicing produces multiple isoforms including, DCL, which contains an 18 aa substitution for aa 346-740, CPG-16, which contains a six aa substitution for aa 1-313, CARP, which is a combination of the previous two isoforms, and a fourth variant that is similar to CPG-16, but with an additional 43 aa substitution for aa 687-740. DCLK1 is found in both fetal and adult tissues. Individual cells that express DCLK1 include pancreatic stem cells, intestinal Tuft cells, migrating neurons, and select tumor cell types. DCLK1 is anchored to microtubules and appears to induce tubulin polymerization. It also possesses a microtubule-independent, Ser/Thr kinase phosphorylation activity. In the brain, DCLK1 is believed to be involved in neuronal migration and nervous system maturation.