Gene CHKA
Back to Curriculum
Also known as
CK, CHK, EKI1, choline kinase alphaOverview
CHKA (Choline Kinase Alpha) encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the first committed step in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis via the Kennedy pathway. Phosphatidylcholine is the most abundant phospholipid in cell membranes and is essential for membrane structure, lipid signaling, and lipoprotein assembly.CHKA activity is elevated in many cancers and has become a target for cancer therapy and imaging. Variants affecting CHKA function may influence phospholipid metabolism and potentially affect membrane integrity and cellular signaling. The enzyme also has choline kinase activity that overlaps with the related enzyme CHKB.
Understanding your CHKA genetic status provides insights into phospholipid metabolism and membrane biology. This gene is particularly relevant for cancer research, as elevated choline metabolism is a hallmark of tumor cells and is exploited for cancer detection using choline-based PET imaging.