The CARKD gene encodes proteins with a predicted mitochondrial propeptide (mCARKD), a signal peptide (spCARKD) or neither of them (cCARKD).

Confocal microscopy analysis of transfected CHO (Chinese-hamster ovary) cells indicated that cCARKD remains in the cytosol, whereas mCARKD and spCARKD are targeted to the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum respectively.

[6] The protein is conserved throughout many species, and has predicted orthologs through eukaryotes, bacteria, and archea.

The following genes are near CARKD on the chromosome:[7] This protein is part of the phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase: ribokinase / pfkB superfamily.

[18] In addition, microarray data indicates that CARKD is up-regulated in Glioblastoma multiforme tumors.