Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/mkks/

MKKS gene

MKKS centrosomal shuttling protein

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.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

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.

More About This Health Condition

Bardet-Biedl syndrome

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Bardet-Biedl syndrome

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • Bardet-Biedl syndrome 6 protein
  • BBS6
  • HMCS
  • KMS
  • MKKS_HUMAN
  • MKS

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Hirayama S, Yamazaki Y, Kitamura A, Oda Y, Morito D, Okawa K, Kimura H, Cyr DM, Kubota H, Nagata K. MKKS is a centrosome-shuttling protein degraded by disease-causing mutations via CHIP-mediated ubiquitination. Mol Biol Cell. 2008 Mar;19(3):899-911. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e07-07-0631. Epub 2007 Dec 19. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • 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 and renal malformations associated with Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Nat Genet. 2000 Sep;26(1):67-70. doi: 10.1038/79201. Citation on PubMed
  • 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 divergent chaperonin-like protein linked to the obesity disorder Bardet-Biedl syndrome, is a novel centrosomal component required for cytokinesis. J Cell Sci. 2005 Mar 1;118(Pt 5):1007-20. doi: 10.1242/jcs.01676. Citation on PubMed
  • Slavotinek AM, Biesecker LG. Unfolding the role of chaperones and chaperonins in human disease. Trends Genet. 2001 Sep;17(9):528-35. doi: 10.1016/s0168-9525(01)02413-1. Citation on PubMed
  • 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 and selected Bardet-Biedl syndrome patients. Hum Genet. 2002 Jun;110(6):561-7. doi: 10.1007/s00439-002-0733-3. Epub 2002 May 9. Citation on PubMed
  • Slavotinek AM, Stone EM, Mykytyn K, Heckenlively JR, Green JS, Heon E, Musarella MA, Parfrey PS, Sheffield VC, Biesecker LG. Mutations in MKKS cause Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Nat Genet. 2000 Sep;26(1):15-6. doi: 10.1038/79116. Erratum In: Nat Genet 2001 Jun;28(2):193. Citation on PubMed
  • Stone DL, Slavotinek A, Bouffard GG, Banerjee-Basu S, Baxevanis AD, Barr M, Biesecker LG. Mutation of a gene encoding a putative chaperonin causes McKusick-Kaufman syndrome. Nat Genet. 2000 May;25(1):79-82. doi: 10.1038/75637. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.