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The acronym CK2 denotes a highly pleiotropic Ser/Thr protein kinase whose over-expression correlates with neoplastic growth. A vexed question about the enigmatic regulation of CK2 concerns the actual existence in living cells of the catalytic (alpha and/or alpha') and regulatory beta-subunits of CK2 not assembled into the regular heterotetrameric holoenzyme. Here we take advantage of novel reagents, namely a peptide substrate and an inhibitor which discriminate between the holoenzyme and the catalytic subunits, to show that CK2 activity in CHO cells is entirely accounted for by the holoenzyme. Transfection with individual subunits moreover does not give rise to holoenzyme formation unless the catalytic and regulatory subunits are co-transfected together, arguing against the existence of free subunits in CHO cells.

The regulatory beta-subunit of protein kinase CK2 mediates the formation of the CK2 tetrameric form and it has functions independent of CK2 catalytic subunit through interaction with several intracellular proteins. Recently, we have shown that CK2beta associates with the human checkpoint kinase Chk1. In this study, we show that Chk1 specifically phosphorylates in vitro the regulatory beta-subunit of CK2. Chymotryptic peptides and mutational analyses have revealed that CK2beta is phosphorylated at Thr213. Formation of a stable complex between CK2beta and Chk1 is not affected by the modification of Thr213 but it does require the presence of an active Chk1 kinase.

We report here the identification of the homologous gene pair ZDS1,2 as multicopy suppressors of a temperature-sensitive allele (cka2-13ts) of the CKA2 gene encoding the α′ catalytic subunit of protein kinase CK2. Overexpression of ZDS1,2 suppressed the temperature sensitivity, geldanamycin (GA) sensitivity, slow growth, and flocculation of multiple cka2 alleles and enhanced CK2 activity in vivo toward a known physiological substrate, Fpr3. Consistent with the existence of a recently described positive feedback loop between CK2 and Cdc37, overexpression of ZDS1,2 also suppressed the temperature sensitivity, abnormal morphology, and GA sensitivity of a CK2 phosphorylation-deficient mutant of CDC37, cdc37-S14A, as well as the GA sensitivity of a cdc37-1 allele. A likely basis for all of these effects is our observation that ZDS1,2 overexpression enhances Cdc37 protein levels. Activation of the positive feedback loop between CK2 and Cdc37 likely contributes to the pleiotropic nature of ZDS1,2, as both CK2 and Cdc37 regulate diverse cellular functions.

Udgivelsesdato: 2003-Jul-10 We previously identified the Fas-associated factor FAF1 as an in vitro substrate of protein kinase CK2 and determined Ser289 and Ser291 as phosphorylation sites. Here we demonstrate that these two serine residues are the only sites phosphorylated by CK2 in vitro, and that at least one site is phosphorylated in vivo. Furthermore, we analyzed putative physiological functions of FAF1 phosphorylation. The ability of FAF1 to potentiate Fas-induced apoptosis is not influenced by the FAF1 phosphorylation status; however, the nuclear import of a phosphorylation-deficient FAF1 mutant was delayed in comparison to wild-type FAF1.

The PTEN tumor suppressor gene encodes a phosphatidylinositol 3′-phosphatase that is inactivated in a high percentage of human tumors, particularly glioblastoma, melanoma, and prostate and endometrial carcinoma. Previous studies showed that PTEN is a seryl phosphoprotein and a substrate of protein kinase CK2 (CK2). However, the sites in PTEN that are phosphorylated in vivo have not been identified directly, nor has the effect of phosphorylation on PTEN catalytic activity been reported. We used mass spectrometric methods to identify Ser370 and Ser385 as in vivo phosphorylation sites of PTEN. These sites also are phosphorylated by CK2 in vitro, and phosphorylation inhibits PTEN activity towards its substrate, PIP3. We also identify a novel in vivo phosphorylation site, Thr366. Following transient over-expression, a fraction of CK2 and PTEN co-immunoprecipitate. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of CK2 activity leads to decreased Akt activation in PTEN+/+ but not PTEN−/− fibroblasts. Our results contrast with previous assignments of PTEN phosphorylation sites based solely on mutagenesis approaches, suggest that CK2 is a physiologically relevant PTEN kinase, and raise the possibility that CK2-mediated inhibition of PTEN plays a role in oncogenesis.

International audience; Edited by Maurice Montal Keywords: Protein kinase CK2 Nav1 Phosphorylation Phosphospecific antibody Dominant negative Axon initial segment a b s t r a c t Accumulation of voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1 at the axon initial segment (AIS), results from a direct interaction with ankyrin G. This interaction is regulated in vitro by the protein kinase CK2, which is also highly enriched at the AIS. Here, using phosphospecific antibodies and inhibition/ depletion approaches, we showed that Nav1 channels are phosphorylated in vivo in their ankyrin-binding motif. Moreover, we observed that CK2 accumulation at the AIS depends on expression of Nav1 channels, with which CK2 forms tight complexes. Thus, the CK2–Nav1 interaction is likely to initiate an important regulatory mechanism to finely control Nav1 phosphorylation and, consequently , neuronal excitability.

The expression of phospholipase D1 (PLD1) and PLD2 were found to decrease at the transcription level during both replicative and premature senescence in human lung fibroblast IMR-90 cells. Knockdown of PLD2 dramatically induced senescent phenotype in proliferating IMR-90 cells and wild-type HCT116 colon cancer cells, whereas this response was nearly abolished in p53- or p21Cip1/WAF1-null HCT116 cells. PLD2 knockdown increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine, NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin, and p22phox small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced ROS generation and thus suppressed the appearance of senescence markers. Elevated CK2 α subunit (CK2α) expression repressed PLD2 downregulation-mediated senescence. PLD2 overexpression increased protein kinase CK2 (also known as casein kinase 2) (CK2) activity. Taken together, these results show that PLD2 downregulation causes senescence through the p53–p21Cip1/WAF1 pathway by stimulating ROS production, which is induced by CK2 inhibition.

The casein kinase from the Golgi apparatus of lactating mammary gland (GEF-CK) is distinct from ubiquitous ‘casein kinases’ termed protein kinases CK1 and CK2 and appears to define a family of secretory pathways protein kinases that phosphorylate seryl residues followed by an acidic residue at position +2. In this report we show that a new synthetic peptide substrate derived from β-casein (β[28–40]) is suitable for the fast, efficient and selective monitoring of GEF-CK, being unaffected by CK1 and CK2, and we define the consensus sequence of this protein kinase as being Ser-Xaa-Glu/SerP, distinct from that of CK2 (Ser/Thr-X-X-Glu/Asp/SerP/TyrP). In particular, the failure to recognize Asp as crucial specificity determinant prevents the phosphorylation of the specific CK2 peptide substrate RRRADDSDDDD by GEF-CK. Thus, peptide substrates are now available for the fast and specific monitoring of all the three classes of ‘casein kinases’, CK1, CK2 and GEF-CK.

Udgivelsesdato: 1996-Feb-12 The quadruple mutation of the whole basic cluster, K74KKK77 conserved in the catalytic subunits of protein kinase CK2 and implicated in substrate recognition, not only abolishes inhibition by heparin but even induces with some peptide substrates an up to 5-fold stimulation by heparin in the 0.5-5 micrograms/ml concentration range. Two other mutants defective in substrate recognition, R191, 195K198A and K79R80K83A, display either a 100-fold reduction or no alteration at all in heparin inhibition, respectively. In contrast sensitivity to heparin inhibition is increased 30-fold by a single mutation affecting Arg-228 while it is not altered by a triple mutation in the small insert of subdomain XI (mutant R278K279R280A). The effect of the same mutations on inhibition by pseudosubstrate EEEEEYEEEEEEE is different, the mutant displaying the most reduced sensitivity being R191,195K198A, followed by K74-77A and K79R80K83A; the other mutants are almost indistinguishable from CK2 wild type. Substantial reduction of inhibition by poly(Glu,Tyr)4:1 is only observable with mutant R191,195K198A, whereas R228A is significantly more sensitive to inhibition. These data show that the mode of inhibition of CK2 by polyanionic compounds occurs through substantially different mechanisms involving residues that are variably concerned with substrate recognition.

In the present work we report the presence of protein kinase CK2 in lipid raft preparations from rat brain synaptosomes, obtained after detergent extraction and subsequent isolation of detergent-resistant membranes using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Moreover, the phosphorylation of syntaxin-1 at Ser14, a specific CK2 target, has been detected in lipid rafts, as assessed by a phospho-specific antibody. Treatment with DMAT, a specific CK2 inhibitor, results in a decrease of syntaxin-1 Ser14 phosphorylation in lipid rafts, while the glutamate release from synaptosomes is enhanced. In conclusion, CK2 might control neurotransmitter release by acting on SNARE proteins attached to cholesterol-enriched microdomains.

CTCF is a transcription factor involved in various aspects of gene regulation. We previously reported that CTCF function is modulated by protein kinase CK2. In this report we investigate further the role of CK2 in regulating the transcriptional properties of CTCF. We demonstrate that coexpression of CTCF with CK2 switches function of CTCF from repressor to activator. The non-phosphorylatable mutant increases repression by CTCF and potentiates the growth-suppressive ability of the protein, whereas the phospho-mimetic mutant behaves in the opposite fashion. Mutation of the individual serines reveals that Serine 612 is a critical residue in regulation of CTCF by CK2.

Surface plasmon resonance analysis shows that the carboxy-terminal domain of Grp94 (Grp94-CT, residues 518-803) physically interacts with the catalytic subunit of protein kinase CK2 (CK2 alpha) under non-stressed conditions. A K(D) of 4 x 10(-7) was determined for this binding. Heparin competed with Grp94-CT for binding to CK2 alpha. CK2 beta also inhibited the binding of Grp94-CT to CK2 alpha, and CK2 holoenzyme reconstituted in vitro was unable to bind Grp94-CT. The use of CK2 alpha mutants made it possible to map the Grp94-CT binding site to the four lysine stretch (residues 74-77) present in helix C of CK2 alpha. Grp94-CT stimulated the activity of CK2 alpha wild-type but was ineffective on the CK2 alpha K74-77A mutant.

Protein kinase CK2 is a heteromeric enzyme with catalytic (alpha) and regulatory (beta) subunits which form an alpha2beta2 holoenzyme and utilizes both ATP and GTP as nucleotide substrate. Site-directed mutagenesis of CK2alpha subunit was used to study this capacity to use GTP. Deletion of asparagine 118 (alpha(deltaN118)) or the mutant alphaN118E gives a 5-6-fold increase in apparent Km for GTP with little effect on the affinity for ATP. Mutants alphaN118A and alphaD120N did not alter significantly the Km for either nucleotide. CK2alphaN118 has an apparent Ki for inosine 5' triphosphate 5-fold higher than wild-type and is very heat labile. These studies complement recent crystallographic data indicating a role for CK2alpha asparagine 118 in binding the guanine base.

The catalytic (alpha) subunit of protein kinase CK2 and the hematopoietic specific protein 1 (HS1) display opposite effects on Ha-ras induced fibroblast transformation, by enhancing and counteracting it, respectively. Here we show the occurrence of physical association between HS1 and CK2alpha as judged from both far Western blot and plasmon resonance (BIAcore) analysis. Association of HS1 with CK2alpha is drastically reduced by the deletion of the HS1 C-terminal region (403-486) containing an SH3 domain. HS1, but not its deletion mutant HS1 Delta324-393, lacking a sequence similar to an acidic stretch of the regulatory beta-subunit of CK2, inhibits calmodulin phosphorylation by CK2alpha. These data indicate that HS1 physically interacts with CK2alpha and down-regulates its activity by a mechanism similar to the beta-subunit.

Hepatic insulin receptor levels in 6-week-old obese (fa/fa) rats were about 2-fold lower than those from lean (Fa/−) rats, which agrees with their insulin-resistant state. Nuclear protein kinase CK2 activity and protein content in livers from obese (fa/fa) rats were similar to those of lean (Fa/−) animals but the cytosolic levels were reduced to half, due to a decrease in the 39-kDa catalytic subunit. Marked increases in activity, due to rises in the 44-kDa and 39-kDa catalytic subunits, were seen in the 16 000×g sediments (M1) from insulin-resistant rats, with moderate changes in the 100 000×g sediments (M2). The increase in CK2 binding to M1 did not require increases in the molecular chaperone grp94, which was unaltered in insulin-resistant rats.

Udgivelsesdato: 1998-Aug-28 Using the murine teratocarcinoma cell line F9 we investigated the influence of serum stimulation and cisplatin treatment on the p53, CK2, MDM2 levels. Both treatments led to an increase of p53, though with different kinetics; the other proteins investigated were not affected. We present direct evidence by immunoprecipitation for an association of protein kinase CK2 holoenzyme (alpha2beta2), p53, and the ribosomal protein L5. The results suggest complexes between the CK2 holoenzyme and p53 but also p53/CKbeta complexes. Furthermore we provide evidence for the existence of high molecular mass complexes of CK2 in vivo. This is the first evidence that, under physiological conditions, protein kinase CK2 does not exist solely as a heterotetramer, but predominantly in association with other proteins.

Protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase 2) is a ubiquitous Ser/Thr protein kinase involved in cell proliferation. Mutation of the alpha subunit of the Xenopus laevis CK2 to change aspartic acid 156 to alanine (CK2alphaA156) resulted in an inactive enzyme. The CK2alphaA156 mutant, however, binds the regulatory subunit as measured by retention of beta on a nickel chelating column mediated by (His)6-tagged CK2alphaA156. Addition of CK2alphaA156 also caused beta to shift sedimentation in a sucrose gradient from a beta2 dimer (52 kDa) to an alpha2beta2 tetramer (130,000 kDa). CK2alphaA156 can trap the beta subunit in an inactive complex reducing the stimulation of casein phosphorylation caused by addition of beta to wild-type alpha. This competitive effect depends on the ratio of alpha/alphaA156 and on the amount of beta available. Since beta inhibits the phosphorylation of calmodulin by CK2alpha, the addition of CK2alphaA156, in this case, increases calmodulin phosphorylation by the alpha and beta combination. These results suggest that CK2alphaA156 may be a useful dominant-negative mutant that can serve to explore the multiple functions of CK2beta.

Some of the numerous functions of the growth suppressor protein p53 are regulated by its interaction with viral and cellular proteins. C-terminal sequences of p53 are implicated in binding to the regulatory beta-subunit of protein kinase CK2. Using a p53-specific DNA binding element we found that the beta-subunit of CK2 inhibited the DNA binding of p53 whereas the alpha-subunit had no influence. The CK2 holoenzyme consisting of two alpha- and two beta-subunits led to a supershift in DNA binding of p53 similar to the p53-specific monoclonal antibody PAb421 as well as the C-terminus of p53. Thus, our results showed an individual role of the free beta-subunit of CK2 on the DNA binding activity of p53.

Two protein kinases that are involved in proliferation and oncogenesis but so far were thought to be functionally independent are Raf and CK2. The Raf signaling pathway is known to play a critical role in such fundamental biological processes as cellular proliferation and differentiation. Abnormal activation of this pathway is potentially oncogenic. Protein kinase CK2 exhibits enhanced levels in solid human tumors and proliferating tissue. In a two-hybrid screen of a mouse-embryo cDNA library we detected an interaction between A-Raf and CK2β subunit. This binding was specific, as no interaction between CK2β and B-Raf or c-Raf-1 was observed. Regions critical for this interaction were localized between residues 550 and 569 in the A-Raf kinase domain. A-Raf kinase activity was enhanced 10-fold upon coexpression with CK2β in Sf9 cells. The α subunit of CK2 abolishes this effect. This is the first demonstration of both a direct Raf-isoform-specific activation and a regulatory role for CK2β independent of the CK2α subunit. The present data thus link two different protein kinases that were thought to work separately in the cell.© 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Udgivelsesdato: 1996-Jan-29 Protein kinase CK2 has been shown to be elevated in all so far investigated solid tumors and its catalytic subunit has been shown to serve as an oncogene product. CK2 is a heterotetrameric serine-threonine kinase composed of two catalytic (alpha and/or alpha') and two regulatory beta-subunits. Using the two-hybrid system we could show that the alpha- or alpha'-subunits of CK2 can interact with the beta-subunits of CK2, but not with other alpha- or alpha'-subunits. By comparison, the beta-subunit of CK2 can interact with another beta-subunit. Important amino acids for successful dimerization of the beta-subunit were localized between amino acid residues 156 and 165. Furthermore, we identified residues between amino acid 170 and 180 which antagonize the dimerization.

The dual function of the regulatory beta-subunit of protein kinase CK2 is highlighted by its ability to abolish calmodulin phosphorylation in contrast to its stimulatory effect on the phosphorylation of peptide substrates. Here we show that a synthetic peptide reproducing the C-terminal region of the beta-subunit (beta[170-215]) stimulates to a similar extent the phosphorylation of either the peptide substrate or calmodulin and also protects the catalytic alpha-subunit against thermal inactivation as efficiently as full-length beta-subunit. These data show that the positive and negative functions of the beta-subunit reside in physically separated domains and that the elements responsible for positive regulation are located in the C-terminal region.

Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous Ser/Thr kinase which phosphorylates a large number of proteins including several transcription factors. Recombinant Xenopus laevis CK2 phosphorylates both recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe TATA binding protein (TBP). The phosphorylation of TBP by CK2 reduces its binding activity to the TATA box. CK2 copurifies with the transcription factor IID (TFIID) complex from HeLa cell extracts and phosphorylates several of the TBP-associated factors within TFIID. Taken together these findings argue for a role of CK2 in the control of transcription by RNA polymerase II through the modulation of the binding activity of TBP to the TATA box.

The highest CK2 activity was found in mouse testicles and brain, followed by spleen, liver, lung, kidney and heart. The activity values were directly correlated with the protein expression level of the CK2 subunits alpha (catalytic) and beta (regulatory). The alpha' subunit was only detected in brain and testicles. By contrast, Northern blot analyses of the CK2alpha mRNA revealed a somewhat different picture. Here, the strongest signals were obtained for brain, liver, heart and lung. In kidney, spleen and testicles mRNAs were only weakly detectable. For CK2alpha' mRNA distribution strong signals were observed for lung, liver and testicles. In the case of CK2beta mRNA the highest signals were found for testicles, kidney, brain and liver. The amount of CK2beta mRNA in testicles was estimated to be about 6-fold higher than in brain. The strongest CK2beta signals in the Western blot were found for testicles and brain. The amount of CK2beta protein in brain in comparison to the other organs (except testicles) was estimated to be ca. 2-3-fold higher whereas the ratio of CK2beta between testicles and brain was estimated to be 3-4-fold. Results from the immunoprecipitation experiments support the notion for the existence of free CK2beta population and/or CK2beta in complex with other protein(s) present in brain and testicles. In all other mouse organs investigated, i.e. heart, lung, liver, kidney and spleen, no comparable amount of free CK2beta was observed. This is the first physiological evidence for the existence of a 'free CK2beta' (or in complex with proteins other than CK2a) in normal animal tissue apart from the hitherto dogmatic association with CK2alpha in a tetrameric holoenzyme complex.

Udgivelsesdato: 1996-Dec-9 Although a number of nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPKs) have been reported to act as inhibitors of metastasis or as a transcription factor in mammals, it is not known whether these functions are linked to their enzymatic activity or how this protein is regulated. In this report, we show that in vitro protein kinase CK2 catalyzed phosphorylation of human NDPK A inhibits its enzymatic activity by inhibiting the first step of its ping-pong mechanism of catalysis: its autophosphorylation. Upon in vivo 32P labeling of HeLa cells, we observed that both human NDPKs, A and B, were autophosphorylated on histidine residues, however, only the B isoform appeared to be serine phosphorylated.

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encounters phosphate starvation by the transcription-regulated PHO pathway. We find that genetic perturbation of protein kinase CK2, a conserved tetrameric Ser/Thr phosphotransferase with links to cell cycle and transcription, affects expression of PHO pathway genes in a subunit- and isoform-specific manner. Remarkably, the genes encoding phosphate supplying phosphatases and transporters are significantly repressed, while the genes encoding components of the central pathway regulator complex, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), a cyclin, and a CDK inhibitor, remain unaltered. Thus, perturbation of CK2 uncouples the executive part of the PHO pathway from its cyclin-CDK control complex.

Treatment of human C 1 r by CK2 resulted in the incorporation of [32P]phosphate into the N-terminal α region of its non-catalytic A chain. Fragmentation of 32P-labelled C 1 r followed by N-terminal sequence and mass spectrometry analyses allowed identification of Ser189 as the phosphorylation site. Accessibility of Ser189 was low in intact C1r, due in part to the presence of one of the oligosaccharides borne by the α region, further reduced in the presence of calcium, and abolished when C1r was incorporated into the C1s-C1r-C1r-C1s treatment or the C1 complex. In contrast, phosphorylation was enhanced in the isolated α fragment and insensitive to calcium. Taken together, these data provide support for the occurrence of a Ca2+-dependent interaction between the α region and the remainder of the C1r molecule.