Skip Navigation
Genetics Home Reference: your guide to understanding genetic conditions
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/     A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine®

CDKL5

Reviewed August 2012

What is the official name of the CDKL5 gene?

The official name of this gene is “cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5.”

CDKL5 is the gene's official symbol. The CDKL5 gene is also known by other names, listed below.

What is the normal function of the CDKL5 gene?

The CDKL5 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is essential for normal brain function. The CDKL5 protein acts as a kinase, which is an enzyme that changes the activity of other proteins by adding a cluster of oxygen and phosphorus atoms (a phosphate group) at specific positions. One of the proteins targeted by the CDKL5 protein is MeCP2, which plays important roles in the function of nerve cells (neurons) and in the maintenance of connections (synapses) between neurons. Researchers have not determined which other proteins are targeted by the CDKL5 protein.

Does the CDKL5 gene share characteristics with other genes?

The CDKL5 gene belongs to a family of genes called CDK (cyclin-dependent kinases).

A gene family is a group of genes that share important characteristics. Classifying individual genes into families helps researchers describe how genes are related to each other. For more information, see What are gene families? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/howgeneswork/genefamilies) in the Handbook.

How are changes in the CDKL5 gene related to health conditions?

Rett syndrome - caused by mutations in the CDKL5 gene

More than 10 mutations in the CDKL5 gene have been identified in girls with an atypical form of Rett syndrome known as the early-onset seizure variant. This severe form of the disorder includes many of the features of classic Rett syndrome (including developmental problems, loss of language skills, and repeated hand wringing or hand washing movements), but also causes recurrent seizures beginning in infancy. Some CDKL5 gene mutations change a single protein building block (amino acid) in a region of the CDKL5 protein that is critical for its kinase function. Other mutations lead to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of the protein. Researchers are working to determine how these changes result in seizures and the characteristic features of Rett syndrome in affected children.

X-linked infantile spasm syndrome - caused by mutations in the CDKL5 gene

Mutations in the CDKL5 gene can also cause a disorder known as X-linked infantile spasm syndrome. Like the early-onset seizure variant of Rett syndrome, X-linked infantile spasm syndrome is characterized by recurrent seizures called infantile spasms that begin in the first year of life. Children with this condition also have intellectual disability. X-linked infantile spasm syndrome caused by CDKL5 gene mutations occurs more often in females, but it has been identified in a small number of males.

Some cases of X-linked infantile spasm syndrome are caused by a deletion involving part or all of the CDKL5 gene; others result from mutations that alter the function of the CDKL5 protein or prevent the production of any functional protein. It is unclear how defects in this protein cause seizures and intellectual disability.

Where is the CDKL5 gene located?

Cytogenetic Location: Xp22

Molecular Location on the X chromosome: base pairs 18,443,724 to 18,671,748

The CDKL5 gene is located on the short (p) arm of the X chromosome at position 22.

The CDKL5 gene is located on the short (p) arm of the X chromosome at position 22.

More precisely, the CDKL5 gene is located from base pair 18,443,724 to base pair 18,671,748 on the X chromosome.

See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/howgeneswork/genelocation) in the Handbook.

Where can I find additional information about CDKL5?

You and your healthcare professional may find the following resources about CDKL5 helpful.

  • Genetic Testing Registry - Repository of genetic test information

    • GTR: Genetic tests for CDKL5 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/tests/?term=6792%5Bgeneid%5D)

You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers.

  • PubMed - Recent literature (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((CDKL5%5BTIAB%5D)%20OR%20(cyclin-dependent%20kinase-like%205%5BTIAB%5D))%20OR%20((STK9%5BTIAB%5D)%20OR%20(serine/threonine%20kinase%209%5BTIAB%5D))%20AND%20((Genes%5BMH%5D)%20OR%20(Genetic%20Phenomena%5BMH%5D))%20AND%20english%5Bla%5D%20AND%20human%5Bmh%5D%20AND%20%22last%203600%20days%22%5Bdp%5D)
  • OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog (http://omim.org/entry/300203)

  • Research Resources - Tools for researchers

    • Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology (http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/Genes/GC_CDKL5.html)
    • Entrez Gene (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6792)
    • GeneCards (http://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?id_type=entrezgene&id=6792)
    • HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (http://www.genenames.org/data/hgnc_data.php?hgnc_id=11411)
    • International Foundation for CDKL5 Research (http://www.cdkl5.com/)

What other names do people use for the CDKL5 gene or gene products?

  • CDKL5_HUMAN
  • serine/threonine kinase 9
  • STK9

See How are genetic conditions and genes named? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/naming) in the Handbook.

What glossary definitions help with understanding CDKL5?

amino acid ; atypical ; deletion ; enzyme ; gene ; kinase ; oxygen ; phosphate ; phosphorus ; protein ; seizure ; serine ; syndrome ; threonine ; threonine kinase

You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary).

References

  • Archer HL, Evans J, Edwards S, Colley J, Newbury-Ecob R, O'Callaghan F, Huyton M, O'Regan M, Tolmie J, Sampson J, Clarke A, Osborne J. CDKL5 mutations cause infantile spasms, early onset seizures, and severe mental retardation in female patients. J Med Genet. 2006 Sep;43(9):729-34. Epub 2006 Apr 12. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16611748?dopt=Abstract)
  • Bertani I, Rusconi L, Bolognese F, Forlani G, Conca B, De Monte L, Badaracco G, Landsberger N, Kilstrup-Nielsen C. Functional consequences of mutations in CDKL5, an X-linked gene involved in infantile spasms and mental retardation. J Biol Chem. 2006 Oct 20;281(42):32048-56. Epub 2006 Aug 24. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16935860?dopt=Abstract)
  • Entrez Gene (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6792)
  • Evans JC, Archer HL, Colley JP, Ravn K, Nielsen JB, Kerr A, Williams E, Christodoulou J, Gécz J, Jardine PE, Wright MJ, Pilz DT, Lazarou L, Cooper DN, Sampson JR, Butler R, Whatley SD, Clarke AJ. Early onset seizures and Rett-like features associated with mutations in CDKL5. Eur J Hum Genet. 2005 Oct;13(10):1113-20. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16015284?dopt=Abstract)
  • Kalscheuer VM, Tao J, Donnelly A, Hollway G, Schwinger E, Kübart S, Menzel C, Hoeltzenbein M, Tommerup N, Eyre H, Harbord M, Haan E, Sutherland GR, Ropers HH, Gécz J. Disruption of the serine/threonine kinase 9 gene causes severe X-linked infantile spasms and mental retardation. Am J Hum Genet. 2003 Jun;72(6):1401-11. Epub 2003 May 7. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12736870?dopt=Abstract)
  • Liang JS, Shimojima K, Takayama R, Natsume J, Shichiji M, Hirasawa K, Imai K, Okanishi T, Mizuno S, Okumura A, Sugawara M, Ito T, Ikeda H, Takahashi Y, Oguni H, Imai K, Osawa M, Yamamoto T. CDKL5 alterations lead to early epileptic encephalopathy in both genders. Epilepsia. 2011 Oct;52(10):1835-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2011.03174.x. Epub 2011 Jul 19. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21770923?dopt=Abstract)
  • Lin C, Franco B, Rosner MR. CDKL5/Stk9 kinase inactivation is associated with neuronal developmental disorders. Hum Mol Genet. 2005 Dec 15;14(24):3775-86. Epub 2005 Dec 5. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16330482?dopt=Abstract)
  • Mari F, Azimonti S, Bertani I, Bolognese F, Colombo E, Caselli R, Scala E, Longo I, Grosso S, Pescucci C, Ariani F, Hayek G, Balestri P, Bergo A, Badaracco G, Zappella M, Broccoli V, Renieri A, Kilstrup-Nielsen C, Landsberger N. CDKL5 belongs to the same molecular pathway of MeCP2 and it is responsible for the early-onset seizure variant of Rett syndrome. Hum Mol Genet. 2005 Jul 15;14(14):1935-46. Epub 2005 May 25. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15917271?dopt=Abstract)
  • Nemos C, Lambert L, Giuliano F, Doray B, Roubertie A, Goldenberg A, Delobel B, Layet V, N'guyen MA, Saunier A, Verneau F, Jonveaux P, Philippe C. Mutational spectrum of CDKL5 in early-onset encephalopathies: a study of a large collection of French patients and review of the literature. Clin Genet. 2009 Oct;76(4):357-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2009.01194.x. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19793311?dopt=Abstract)
  • Scala E, Ariani F, Mari F, Caselli R, Pescucci C, Longo I, Meloni I, Giachino D, Bruttini M, Hayek G, Zappella M, Renieri A. CDKL5/STK9 is mutated in Rett syndrome variant with infantile spasms. J Med Genet. 2005 Feb;42(2):103-7. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15689447?dopt=Abstract)
  • Tao J, Van Esch H, Hagedorn-Greiwe M, Hoffmann K, Moser B, Raynaud M, Sperner J, Fryns JP, Schwinger E, Gécz J, Ropers HH, Kalscheuer VM. Mutations in the X-linked cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5/STK9) gene are associated with severe neurodevelopmental retardation. Am J Hum Genet. 2004 Dec;75(6):1149-54. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15499549?dopt=Abstract)
  • Weaving LS, Christodoulou J, Williamson SL, Friend KL, McKenzie OL, Archer H, Evans J, Clarke A, Pelka GJ, Tam PP, Watson C, Lahooti H, Ellaway CJ, Bennetts B, Leonard H, Gécz J. Mutations of CDKL5 cause a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with infantile spasms and mental retardation. Am J Hum Genet. 2004 Dec;75(6):1079-93. Epub 2004 Oct 18. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15492925?dopt=Abstract)

 

The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.

 
Reviewed: August 2012
Published: June 17, 2013