Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked gene CASK are associated with mental retardation and microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH) and ophthalmological disorders including optic nerve atrophy (ONA) and optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH). Recently, we have demonstrated that CASK (+/−) mice display ONH with 100% penetrance but exhibit no change in retinal lamination or structure. It is not clear if CASK loss-of-function predominantly affects retinal ganglion cells, or if other retinal cells like photoreceptors are also involved. Here, we report a heterozygous missense mutation in the N-terminal calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) domain of the CASK protein in which a highly conserved leucine is mutated to the cyclic amino acid proline. In silico analysis suggests that the mutation may produce destabilizing structural changes. Experimentally, we observe pronounced misfolding and insolubility of the CASK L209P protein. Interestingly, the remaining soluble mutant protein fails to interact with Mint1, which specifically binds to CASK's CaMK domain, suggesting a mechanism for the phenotypes observed with the CASK L209P mutation. In addition to microcephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia and delayed development, the subject with the L209P mutation also presented with bilateral retinal dystrophy and ONA. Electroretinography indicated that rod photoreceptors are the most prominently affected cells. Our data suggest that the CASK interactions mediated by the CaMK domain may play a crucial role in retinal function, and thus, in addition to ONH, individuals with mutations in the CASK gene may exhibit other retinal disorders, depending on the nature of mutation.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 94-103 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A |
Volume | 179 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:information Virginia Tech Adaptive Brain and Behavior Destination Area; Virginia Tech; National Eye Institute, Grant/Award Number: R01EY024712This study was supported by R01EY024712 from the NIH's National Eye Institute and a grant from the Virginia Tech Adaptive Brain and Behavior destination area (ABB-DA) to KM.
Funding Information:
This study was supported by R01EY024712 from the NIH's National Eye Institute and a grant from the Virginia Tech Adaptive Brain and Behavior destination area (ABB-DA) to KM.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keywords
- CASK
- MICPCH
- optic nerve atrophy
- optic nerve hypoplasia
- retinal dystrophy