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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Immunostaining Phospho-epitopes in Ciliated Organs of Whole Mount Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: February 19, 2016
[The role of calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase in embryonic development and related diseases]
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R.China. yuanli@njmu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase (CASK), which belongs to the family of membrane associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins, has several isoforms. CASK expresses differently in embryonic tissues and adult tissues. It can be modulated by phosphorylation and SUMOylation. CASK plays an important role in neural development, spermatozoal development and renal development. Dysfunction of CASK may lead to diseases. CASK is distributed extensively in the brain, regulating synapse formation. Mutation of CASK can lead to several neurologic diseases. CASK is also involved in the development and maturation of sperm and fertilization. It also can influence renal development through interaction with DLG1.
Insights
Calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) is crucial for neural, sperm, and kidney development. Its dysfunction is linked to various diseases, including neurological and renal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) is a membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) protein with multiple isoforms.
- CASK expression varies between embryonic and adult tissues and is regulated by phosphorylation and SUMOylation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the diverse roles of CASK in biological development.
- To highlight the implications of CASK dysfunction in disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on CASK function.
- Analysis of CASK expression patterns and regulatory mechanisms.
- Examination of CASK's involvement in neural, spermatozoal, and renal development.
Main Results:
- CASK plays a critical role in neural development, regulating synapse formation and linked to neurological diseases upon mutation.
- CASK is essential for sperm development, maturation, and fertilization.
- CASK influences renal development, partly through interactions with DLG1.
Conclusions:
- CASK is a multifunctional protein vital for multiple developmental processes.
- Aberrant CASK function contributes to a range of human diseases, underscoring its importance in health and development.
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