3C0G

CASK Functions as a Mg2+-independent neurexin kinase

(2008) Cell 133: 328-339

• PubMed: 18423203 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2008.02.036
• Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
  3C0G, 3C0H, 3C0I


• PubMed Abstract: 
  

  CASK is a unique MAGUK protein that contains an N-terminal CaM-kinase domain besides the typical MAGUK domains. The CASK CaM-kinase domain is presumed to be a catalytically inactive pseudokinase because it lacks the canonical DFG motif required for Mg2+ binding that is thought to be indispensable for kinase activity. Here we show, however, that CASK functions as an active protein kinase even without Mg2+ binding. High-resolution crystal structures reveal that the CASK CaM-kinase domain adopts a constitutively active conformation that binds ATP and catalyzes phosphotransfer without Mg2+. The CASK CaM-kinase domain phosphorylates itself and at least one physiological interactor, the synaptic protein neurexin-1, to which CASK is recruited via its PDZ domain. Thus, our data indicate that CASK combines the scaffolding activity of MAGUKs with an unusual kinase activity that phosphorylates substrates recuited by the scaffolding activity. Moreover, our study suggests that other pseudokinases (10% of the kinome) could also be catalytically active.

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Organizational Affiliation: 

Department of Neuroscience, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6000 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA. konark.mukherjee@utsouthwestern.edu