MKKS Gene

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1		Rita Xu	+ 597 word(s)	597	2020-12-15 07:30:50

This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/mkks

McKusick-Kaufman syndrome is a condition that affects the development of the hands and feet, heart, and reproductive system. It is characterized by a combination of three features: extra fingers and/or toes (polydactyly), heart defects, and genital abnormalities.

genetic conditions

1. Introduction

Most females with McKusick-Kaufman syndrome are born with a genital abnormality called hydrometrocolpos, which is a large accumulation of fluid in the pelvis. Hydrometrocolpos results from a blockage of the vagina before birth, which can occur if part of the vagina fails to develop (vaginal agenesis) or if a membrane blocks the opening of the vagina. This blockage allows fluid to build up in the vagina and uterus, stretching these organs and leading to a fluid-filled mass. Genital abnormalities in males with McKusick-Kaufman syndrome can include placement of the urethral opening on the underside of the penis (hypospadias), a downward-curving penis (chordee), and undescended testes (cryptorchidism).

The signs and symptoms of McKusick-Kaufman syndrome overlap significantly with those of another genetic disorder, Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Bardet-Biedl syndrome has several features that are not seen in McKusick-Kaufman syndrome, however. These include vision loss, delayed development, obesity, and kidney (renal) failure. Because some of these features are not apparent at birth, the two conditions can be difficult to tell apart in infancy and early childhood.

2. Normal Function

The MKKS gene provides instructions for making a protein that plays an important role in the formation of the limbs, heart, and reproductive system. The structure of this protein suggests that it may act as a chaperonin, which is a protein that helps fold other proteins. Proteins must be folded into the correct 3-dimensional shape to perform their usual functions in the body. Abnormally folded proteins can also interfere with the functions of normal proteins.

Although the structure of the MKKS protein is similar to that of a chaperonin, some studies have suggested that protein folding may not be this protein's primary function. Within cells, the MKKS protein is associated with structures called centrosomes. Centrosomes play a role in cell division and the assembly of microtubules, which are proteins that transport materials in cells and help the cell maintain its shape. Researchers speculate that the MKKS protein may be involved in transporting other proteins within the cell.

3. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

3.1. McKusick-Kaufman Syndrome

Two mutations in the MKKS gene have been identified in people with McKusick-Kaufman syndrome in the Old Order Amish population. Each of these mutations changes a single protein building block (amino acid) in the MKKS protein. One mutation replaces the amino acid histidine with the amino acid tyrosine at protein position 84 (written as His84Tyr or H84Y). The other mutation replaces the amino acid alanine with the amino acid serine at protein position 242 (written as Ala242Ser or A242S). Affected Amish people have these two mutations in both copies of the MKKS gene.

The mutations that underlie McKusick-Kaufman syndrome alter the structure of the MKKS protein. Although the altered protein disrupts the development of several parts of the body before birth, it is unclear how MKKS mutations lead to the specific features of this disorder.

The signs and symptoms of McKusick-Kaufman syndrome overlap significantly with those of another condition called Bardet-Biedl syndrome, which can make the two conditions difficult to tell apart in infancy and early childhood. Although both syndromes can be caused by changes in the MKKS gene, it remains unclear why some mutations cause McKusick-Kaufman syndrome and others cause Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

3.2. Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Bardet-Biedl syndrome

4. Other Names for This Gene

Bardet-Biedl syndrome 6 protein
BBS6
HMCS
KMS
MKKS_HUMAN
MKS

References

Hirayama S, Yamazaki Y, Kitamura A, Oda Y, Morito D, Okawa K, Kimura H, CyrDM, Kubota H, Nagata K. MKKS is a centrosome-shuttling protein degraded bydisease-causing mutations via CHIP-mediated ubiquitination. Mol Biol Cell. 2008Mar;19(3):899-911.
Katsanis N, Beales PL, Woods MO, Lewis RA, Green JS, Parfrey PS, Ansley SJ,Davidson WS, Lupski JR. Mutations in MKKS cause obesity, retinal dystrophy andrenal malformations associated with Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Nat Genet. 2000Sep;26(1):67-70.
Kim JC, Ou YY, Badano JL, Esmail MA, Leitch CC, Fiedrich E, Beales PL,Archibald JM, Katsanis N, Rattner JB, Leroux MR. MKKS/BBS6, a divergentchaperonin-like protein linked to the obesity disorder Bardet-Biedl syndrome, is a novel centrosomal component required for cytokinesis. J Cell Sci. 2005 Mar1;118(Pt 5):1007-20.
Slavotinek AM, Biesecker LG. Unfolding the role of chaperones and chaperonins in human disease. Trends Genet. 2001 Sep;17(9):528-35. Review.
Slavotinek AM, Searby C, Al-Gazali L, Hennekam RC, Schrander-Stumpel C,Orcana-Losa M, Pardo-Reoyo S, Cantani A, Kumar D, Capellini Q, Neri G, Zackai E, Biesecker LG. Mutation analysis of the MKKS gene in McKusick-Kaufman syndrome andselected Bardet-Biedl syndrome patients. Hum Genet. 2002 Jun;110(6):561-7.
Slavotinek AM, Stone EM, Mykytyn K, Heckenlively JR, Green JS, Heon E,Musarella MA, Parfrey PS, Sheffield VC, Biesecker LG. Mutations in MKKS causeBardet-Biedl syndrome. Nat Genet. 2000 Sep;26(1):15-6. Erratum in: Nat Genet 2001Jun;28(2):193.
Stone DL, Slavotinek A, Bouffard GG, Banerjee-Basu S, Baxevanis AD, Barr M,Biesecker LG. Mutation of a gene encoding a putative chaperonin causesMcKusick-Kaufman syndrome. Nat Genet. 2000 May;25(1):79-82.

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Rita Xu

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Update Date: 22 Dec 2020

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