CKM (gene)

Creatine kinase, muscle also known as CKM is a creatine kinase that in humans is encoded by the CKM gene.

Structure

In the figure to the right, the crystal structure of the muscle-type M-CK monomer is shown. In vivo, two such monomers arrange symmetrically to form the active MM-CK enzyme.

Function

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytoplasmic enzyme involved in cellular energy homeostasis. The encoded protein reversibly catalyzes the transfer of "energy-rich" phosphate between ATP and creatine and between phospho-creatine and ADP. Its functional entity is a MM-CK homodimer in striated (sarcomeric) skeletal and cardiac muscle.

Clinical significance

In heart, in addition to the MM-CK homodimer, also the heterodimer MB-CK consisting of one muscle (M-CK) and one brain-type (B-CK) subunit is expressed. The latter may be an important serum marker for myocardial infarction, if released from damaged myocardial cells into the blood where it can be detected by clinical chemistry.

External links

• Creatine Kinase, MM Form at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.