MARCKS (Myristoylated Alanine Rich C Kinase Substrate)

MARCKS is a major protein of brain, and is concentrated in synapses of neurons. It appears to function in synaptic vesicle cycling and has been shown to bind both actin and calmodulin in vitro. MARCKS belongs to a family of proteins with similar actin and calmodulin binding properties. Deletion of the MARCKS gene in mice results in embryonic brain defects and death. It plays a vital role in the normal developmental processes of neurulation, hemisphere fusion, forebrain commissure formation, and formation of cortical and retinal laminations.