Antennapedia/HS1 chimeric phosphotyrosyl peptide: conformational properties, binding capability to c-Fgr SH2 domain and cell permeability

With the aim of interfering with the signaling pathways mediated by the SH2 domains of Src-like tyrosine kinases, we synthesized a tyrosyl-phospho decapeptide, corresponding to the sequence 392-401 of HS1 protein, which inhibits the secondary phosphorylation of HS1 protein catalyzed by the Src-like kinases c-Fgr or Lyn. This phospho-peptide was modified to enter cells by coupling to the third helix of Antennapedia homeodomain, which is able to translocate across cell membranes. Here we present CD and fluorescence studies on the conformational behavior in membrane-mimicking environments and on lipid interactions of Antennapedia fragment and its chimeric phosphorylated and unphosphorylated derivatives. These studies evidenced that electrostatic rather than amphiphilic interactions determine the peptide adsorption on lipids. Experiments performed with recombinant protein containing the SH2 domain of c-Fgr fused with GST and with isolated erythrocyte membranes demonstrated that the presence of the N-terminal Antennapedia fragment only slightly affects the binding of the phospho-HS1 peptide to the SH2 domain. In fact, it has been shown that in isolated erythrocyte membranes, both phospho-HS1 peptide and its chimeric derivative greatly affect either the SH2-mediated recruitment of the c-Fgr to the transmembrane protein band 3 and the following phosphorylation of the protein catalyzed by the Src-like kinase c-Fgr. The ability of the chimeric phospho-peptide to enter cells has been demonstrated by confocal microscopy analysis.

Toward the rational design of protein kinase casein kinase-2 inhibitors

Casein kinase-2 (CK2) probably is the most pleiotropic member of the protein kinase family, with more than 200 substrates known to date. Unlike the great majority of protein kinases, which are tightly regulated enzymes, CK2 is endowed with high constitutive activity, a feature that is suspected to underlie its oncogenic potential and possible implication in viral infections. This makes CK2 an attractive target for anti-neoplastic and antiviral drugs. Here, we present an overview of our present knowledge about CK2 inhibitors, with special reference to the information drawn from two recently solved crystal structures of CK2alpha in complex with emodin and with 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-2-azabenzimidazole (TBB), this latter being the most specific CK2 inhibitor known to date. A comparison with a series of anthraquinone and xanthenone derivatives highlights the crucial relevance of the hydroxyl group at position 3 for inhibition by emodin, and discloses the possibility of increasing the inhibitory potency by placing an electron withdrawing group at position 5. We also present mutational data corroborating the relevance of two hydrophobic residues unique to CK2, Val66 and Ile174, for the interactions with emodin and TBB, but not with the flavonoid inhibitors quercetin and fisetin. In particular, the CK2alpha mutant V66A displays 27- and 11-fold higher IC(50) values with emodin and TBB, respectively, as compared with the wild-type, while the IC(50) value with quercetin is unchanged. The data presented pave the road toward the rational design of more potent and selective inhibitors of CK2 and the generation of CK2 mutants refractory to inhibition, useful to probe the implication of CK2 in specific cellular functions.

Multiple phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein by protein tyrosine kinase Syk prevents eosin-induced aggregation

The presence of aggregated alpha-synuclein molecules is a common denominator in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we show that alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) is an outstanding substrate for the protein tyrosine kinase p72syk (Syk), which phosphorylates three tyrosyl residues in its C-terminal domain (Y-125, Y-133, and Y-136), as revealed from experiments with mutants where these residues have been individually or multiply replaced by phenylalanine. In contrast, only Y-125 is phosphorylated by Lyn and c-Fgr. Eosin-induced multimerization is observed with wild-type alpha-syn, either phosphorylated or not by Lyn, and with all its Tyr to Phe mutants but not with the protein previously phosphorylated by Syk. Syk-mediated phosphorylation also counteracts alpha-syn assembly into filaments as judged from the disappearance of alpha-syn precipitated upon centrifugation at 100,000 x g. We also show that Syk and alpha-syn colocalize in the brain, and upon cotransfection in Chinese hamster ovary cells, alpha-syn becomes Tyr-phosphorylated by Syk. Moreover, Syk and alpha-syn interact with each other as judged from the mammalian two-hybrid system approach. These data suggest that Syk or tyrosine kinase(s) with similar specificity may play an antineurodegenerative role by phosphorylating a-syn, thereby preventing its aggregation.

Increased activity of c-Src and Csk in fibroblasts transformed by v-src oncogene

When c-Src and v-Src were immunoprecipitated together from hamster fibroblasts transformed by Rous sarcoma virus containing v-src oncogene, the total Src activity was almost threefold higher compared to c-Src activity in the control cells. The activity of v-Src immunoprecipitated separately, however, accounting for only 40% of the total Src activity, indicating that c-Src is activated upon transformation. An increased activity of Csk was also found in RSV-transformed cells. It decreased upon serum stimulation in parallel with an increase in Src kinase activity. In nontransformed cells, serum stimulation induced an enhanced Csk activity, but no changes in c-Src activity were observed. This may suggest that Csk may have more functions in hamster fibroblasts, in addition to its inhibitory effect on c-Src.

Structural features underlying the multisite phosphorylation of the A domain of the NF-AT4 transcription factor by protein kinase CK1

The phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the NF-AT family of transcription factors play a key role in the activation of T lymphocytes and in the control of the immune response. The mechanistic aspects of NF-AT4 phosphorylation by protein kinase CK1 have been studied in this work with the aid of a series of 27 peptides, reproducing with suitable modifications the regions of NF-AT4 that have been reported to be phosphorylated by this protein kinase. The largest parent peptide, representing the three regions A, Z, and L spanning amino acids 173-218, is readily phosphorylated by CK1 at seryl residues belonging to the A2 segment, none of which fulfill the canonical consensus sequence for CK1. An acidic cluster of amino acids in the linker region between domains A and Z is essential for high-efficiency phosphorylation of the A2 domain, as shown by the increase in K(m) caused by a deletion of the linker region or a substitution of the acidic residues with glycines. Individual substitutions with alanine of each of the five serines in the A2 domain (S-177, S-180, S-181, S-184, and S-186) reduce the phosphorylation rate, the most detrimental effect being caused by Ser177 substitution which results in a 10-fold drop in V(max). On the contrary, the replacement of Ser177 with phosphoserine triggers a hierarchical effect with a dramatic improvement in phosphorylation efficiency, which no longer depends on the linker region for optimal efficiency. These data are consistent with a two-phase phosphorylation mechanism of NF-AT4 by CK1, initiated by the linker region which provides a functional docking site for CK1 and allows the unorthodox phosphorylation of Ser177; once achieved, this phosphoserine residue primes the phosphorylation of other downstream seryl residues, according to a hierarchical mechanism typically exploited by CK1.

HIV-1 Rev transactivator: a beta-subunit directed substrate and effector of protein kinase CK2

The phosphorylation of HIV-1 Rev by protein kinase CK2 is strictly dependent on the regulatory beta subunit of the kinase and is deeply affected by conformational changes of the substrate outside the phosphorylation site. Here we show that Rev modulates a variety of CK2 properties, including autophosphorylation, catalytic activity toward calmodulin, and susceptibility to polycationic effectors, whose common denominator is the involvement of the beta subunit. Rev's two major CK2 sites are located at its N-terminus, immediately adjacent to a helix-loop-helix motif. By comparing the behaviour of full-size Rev with that of synthetic peptides reproducing, with suitable modifications, its N-terminal 26 amino acids including the phosphoacceptor site (Ser 5, Ser 8) and amphipathic helix-1, it appears that the functional interaction of the N-terminal portion of Rev with the N-terminal domain of the beta subunit must rely on both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The former mainly involve Rev's arginine-rich domain (residues 35-50) in helix-2, while the latter are mostly mediated by residues 12-24 of helix-1. These data disclose the possibility that, besides displaying protective, regulatory and targeting properties with respect to the catalytic subunit, the CK2 beta subunit also plays a role as a docking site for a subset of CK2 substrates.

Structural features underlying selective inhibition of protein kinase CK2 by ATP site-directed tetrabromo-2-benzotriazole

Two novel crystal structures of Zea mays protein kinase CK2alpha catalytic subunit, one in complex with the specific inhibitor 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) and another in the apo-form, were solved at 2.2 A resolution. These structures were compared with those of the enzyme in presence of ATP and GTP (the natural cosubstrates) and the inhibitor emodin. Interaction of TBB with the active site of CK2alpha is mainly due to van der Waals contacts, with the ligand fitting almost perfectly the cavity. One nitrogen of the five-membered ring interacts with two charged residues, Glu 81 and Lys 68, in the depth of the cavity, through two water molecules. These are buried in the active site and are also generally found in the structures of CK2alpha enzyme analyzed so far, with the exception of the complex with emodin. In the N-terminal lobe, the position of helix alphaC is particularly well preserved in all the structures examined; the Gly-rich loop is displaced from the intermediate position it has in the apo-form and in the presence of the natural cosubstrates (ATP/GTP) to either an upper (with TBB) or a lower position (with emodin). The selectivity of TBB for CK2 appears to be mainly dictated by the reduced size of the active site which in most other protein kinases is too large for making stable interactions with this inhibitor.

Generation of mutants of CK2alpha which are dependent on the beta-subunit for catalytic activity

To shed light on the structural features underlying high constitutive activity of protein kinase CK2 a number of mutants of the human CK2alpha-subunit altered in the interactions between the N-terminal segment and the activation loop have been generated and shown to be defective in catalytic activity. In particular the truncated mutant delta2-12 displays under standard conditions an almost complete loss of catalytic activity accounted for by a dramatic rise in its Km forATP (from 10 to 206 microM) and a reduced Kcat. Such a drop in efficiency is paralleled by conformational disorganization, as judged from Superdex 75 gel filtration profile. Both catalytic properties and gel filtration behaviour similar to those of wild type CK2alpha were restored upon association with the regulatory beta-subunit, suggesting that constitutive activity is conferred to CK2alpha and to CK2 holoenzyme through different molecular mechanisms. In the holoenzyme an assumable release of tension at the backbone of Ala-193 (as seems to be indicated by a comparison of the crystal structures of maize CK2alpha alone vs. a CK2alpha-beta peptide complex) may result in the ability of the activation loop to adopt its proper conformation independently of interactions with the N-terminal segment.

The carboxy-terminal domain of Grp94 binds to protein kinase CK2 alpha but not to CK2 holoenzyme

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.

Autocatalytic tyrosine-phosphorylation of protein kinase CK2 alpha and alpha' subunits: implication of Tyr182

CK2 is a pleiotropic and constitutively active serine/threonine protein kinase composed of two catalytic (alpha and/or alpha') and two regulatory beta-subunits, whose mechanism of modulation is still obscure. Here we show that CK2 alpha/alpha' subunits undergo intermolecular (trans) tyrosine-autophosphorylation, which is dependent on intrinsic catalytic activity and is suppressed by the individual mutation of Tyr182, a crucial residue of the activation loop, to phenylalanine. At variance with serine-autophosphorylation, tyrosine-autophosphorylation of CK2alpha is reversed by ADP and GDP and is counteracted by the beta-subunit and by a peptide reproducing the activation loop of CK2alpha/alpha' (amino acids 175-201). These results disclose new perspectives about the mode of regulation of CK2 catalytic subunits.

Possible implication of the Golgi apparatus casein kinase in the phosphorylation of vesicle docking protein p115 Ser-940: a study with peptide substrates

Phosphorylation of human vescicle docking protein p115 at Ser-942 (homologous to Ser-940 in rat p115) promotes its dissociation from the Golgi membrane. Here we show that a peptide encompassing the 934--950 sequence of p115 is unaffected or poorly phosphorylated by a variety of Ser/Thr protein kinases with the notable exception of the Golgi apparatus casein kinase (G-CK) which phosphorylates it with an efficiency comparable to that of its optimal peptide substrates. In contrast phosphorylation of the p115 peptide by protein kinase CK2 is negligible compared to that of the specific peptide substrates of this kinase. Phosphorylation by G-CK is abolished if a conserved cluster of acidic residues at position between n + 4 and n + 9 (EDDDDE) is replaced by a neutral stretch (GAGAGA). These data strongly support the view that G-CK but not the other two classes of ubiquitous "casein kinases" (CK1 and CK2) is the natural phosphorylating agent of p115.

Selectivity of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole, an ATP site-directed inhibitor of protein kinase CK2 ('casein kinase-2')

The specificity of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-2-azabenzimidazole (TBB), an ATP/GTP competitive inhibitor of protein kinase casein kinase-2 (CK2), has been examined against a panel of 33 protein kinases, either Ser/Thr- or Tyr-specific. In the presence of 10 microM TBB (and 100 microM ATP) only CK2 was drastically inhibited (>85%) whereas three kinases (phosphorylase kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta and cyclin-dependent kinase 2/cyclin A) underwent moderate inhibition, with IC(50) values one--two orders of magnitude higher than CK2 (IC(50)=0.9 microM). TBB also inhibits endogenous CK2 in cultured Jurkat cells. A CK2 mutant in which Val66 has been replaced by alanine is much less susceptible to inhibition by TBB as well as by another ATP competitive inhibitor, emodin. These data show that TBB is a quite selective inhibitor of CK2, that can be used in cell-based assays.

Expression of the small tyrosine phosphatase (Stp1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a study on protein tyrosine phosphorylation

Small tyrosine phoshatase 1 (Stp1) is a Schizosaccharomyces pombe low-molecular-mass phosphotyrosine-phosphatase 50% identical to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ltp1. In order to investigate the role of Stp1 in yeast, a mutant was generated having the characteristic of a dominant negative molecule. Changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation in S. cerevisiae proteome in response to Stp1 or its dominant negative mutant expression were analyzed by high-resolution two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis. The most remarkable result is the modification by phosphorylation on tyrosine of several proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Twelve proteins were identified on the basis of their positions in the anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblot of the 2-D electrophoresis. Ten of these present tyrosyl residues that are within the consensus sequence for protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase-2). These data open the possibility for the identification of Stp1 substrates in yeast and provide hints about the nature of tyrosine phosphorylating agents in yeast and in other organisms where bona fide tyrosine kinases are lacking.

Identification of a domain in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 rev that is required for functional activity and modulates association with subnuclear compartments containing splicing factor SC35

The activity of human immunodeficiency virus Rev as a regulator of viral mRNA expression is tightly linked to its ability to shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm; these properties are conferred by a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) and by an arginine-rich nuclear localization signal/RNA binding domain (NLS/RBD) required for binding to the Rev-responsive element (RRE) located on viral unspliced and singly spliced mRNAs. Structure predictions and biophysical measurements indicate that Rev consists of an unstructured region followed by a helix-loop-helix motif containing the NLS/RBD and sequences directing multimerization and by a carboxy-terminal tail containing the NES. We present evidence that the loop portion of the helix-loop-helix region is an essential functional determinant that is required for binding to the RRE and for correct intracellular routing. Data obtained using a protein kinase CK2 phosphorylation assay indicated that the loop region is essential for juxtaposition of helices 1 and 2 and phosphorylation by protein kinase CK2. Deletion of the loop resulted in partial accumulation of Rev in SC35-positive nuclear bodies that resembled nuclear bodies that form in response to inhibition of transcription. Accumulation of the DeltaLoop mutant in nuclear bodies depended on the presence of an intact NES, suggesting that both the loop and the NES play a role in controlling intranuclear compartmentalization of Rev and its association with splicing factors.

Bovine prion protein as a modulator of protein kinase CK2

On the basis of far-Western blot and plasmon resonance (BIAcore) experiments, we show here that recombinant bovine prion protein (bPrP) (25-242) strongly interacts with the catalytic alpha/alpha' subunits of protein kinase CK2 (also termed 'casein kinase 2'). This association leads to increased phosphotransferase activity of CK2alpha, tested on calmodulin or specific peptides as substrate. We also show that bPrP counteracts the inhibition of calmodulin phosphorylation promoted by the regulatory beta subunits of CK2. A truncated form of bPrP encompassing the C-terminal domain (residues 105-242) interacts with CK2 but does not affect its catalytic activity. The opposite is found with the N-terminal fragment of bPrP (residues 25-116), although the stimulation of catalysis is less efficient than with full-size bPrP. These results disclose the potential of the PrP to modulate the activity of CK2, a pleiotropic protein kinase that is particularly abundant in the brain.

Novel consensus sequence for the Golgi apparatus casein kinase, revealed using proline-rich protein-1 (PRP1)-derived peptide substrates

Previous studies have shown that the Golgi apparatus casein kinase (G-CK) recognizes phosphoacceptor sites specified by the triplet SXE/Sp, which is found in several phosphoproteins, besides casein itself. In the present study, we report that G-CK can phosphorylate, with comparable efficiency, sequences surrounding Ser-22 of salivary proline-rich protein-1 (PRP1), which do not conform to the SXE/Sp motif. By using a series of peptide substrates derived from the PRP1 Ser-22 site, we also have shown that the optimal consensus sequence recognized by G-CK in this case was SXQXX(D/E)3, where the acidic residues at positions n+5 to n+7 and, to a lesser extent, the glutamine residue at position n+2 are the critical determinants.

Cooperative modulation of protein kinase CK2 by separate domains of its regulatory beta-subunit

Protein kinase CK2 ("casein kinase 2") holoenzyme is composed of two catalytic (alpha and/or alpha') and two regulatory beta-subunits. A truncated form of the beta-subunit lacking its C-terminal region (betaDelta171-215) has lost the ability to stably associate with the catalytic subunits and to display a number of properties which are mediated by structural elements still present in its sequence, notably down-regulation of catalytic activity, autophosphorylation, and responsiveness to polycationic effectors. All these functions are restored by simultaneous addition of a synthetic peptide reproducing the deleted fragment, beta170-215, which is able to associate with the catalytic subunits and to stimulate catalytic activity. This peptide includes a segment displaying significant sequence similarity with a region of cyclin A which interacts with the PSTAIRE motif of CDK2 eliciting its catalytic activity. A peptide reproducing this sequence (beta181-203), but not its derivative in which three nonpolar side chains have been replaced by polar ones, interacts with the alpha-subunit and stimulates its catalytic activity; it also partially restores the ability of truncated betaDelta171-215 to autophosphorylate. These data disclose the essential role of a structural module located between residues 181 and 203 in conferring regulatory properties to the beta-subunit of CK2.

The replacement of ATP by the competitive inhibitor emodin induces conformational modifications in the catalytic site of protein kinase CK2

The structure of a complex between the catalytic subunit of Zea mays CK2 and the nucleotide binding site-directed inhibitor emodin (3-methyl-1,6,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone) was solved at 2.6-A resolution. Emodin enters the nucleotide binding site of the enzyme, filling a hydrophobic pocket between the N-terminal and the C-terminal lobes, in the proximity of the site occupied by the base rings of the natural co-substrates. The interactions between the inhibitor and CK2 alpha are mainly hydrophobic. Although the C-terminal domain of the enzyme is essentially identical to the ATP-bound form, the beta-sheet in the N-terminal domain is altered by the presence of emodin. The structural data presented here highlight the flexibility of the kinase domain structure and provide information for the design of selective ATP competitive inhibitors of protein kinase CK2.

Unique features of HIV-1 Rev protein phosphorylation by protein kinase CK2 ('casein kinase-2')

The HIV-1 Rev transactivator is phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase CK2 at two residues, Ser-5 and Ser-8; these sites are also phosphorylated in vivo. Here we show that the mechanism by which CK2 phosphorylates Rev is unique in several respects, notably: (i) it is fully dependent on the regulatory, beta-subunit of CK2; (ii) it relies on the integrity of an acidic stretch of CK2 beta which down-regulates the phosphorylation of other substrates; (iii) it is inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by polyamines and other polycationic effectors that normally stimulate CK2 activity. In contrast, a peptide corresponding to the amino-terminal 26 amino acids of Rev, including the phosphoacceptor site, is readily phosphorylated by the catalytic subunit of CK2 even in the absence of the beta-subunit. These data, in conjunction with the observation that two functionally inactive derivatives of Rev with mutations in its helix-loop-helix motif are refractory to phosphorylation, indicate the phosphorylation of Rev by CK2 relies on conformational features of distinct regions that are also required for the transactivator's biological activity.

Sequential phosphorylation of protein band 3 by Syk and Lyn tyrosine kinases in intact human erythrocytes: identification of primary and secondary phosphorylation sites

Treatment of intact human erythrocytes with pervanadate induces Tyr (Y)-phosphorylation of the transmembrane protein band 3; in parallel, the activity of the immunoprecipitated tyrosine kinases Syk and Lyn is increased. When erythrocytes are incubated with pervanadate together with PP1, a specific inhibitor of Src kinases, including Lyn, the Y-phosphorylation of band 3 is only partially reduced. Indeed, the PP1-resistant phosphorylation of band 3 precedes and is a prerequisite for its coimmunoprecipitation with Lyn, which interacts with the phosphoprotein via the SH2 domain of the enzyme, as proven by binding competition experiments. Upon recruitment to primarily phosphorylated band 3, Lyn catalyzes the secondary phosphorylation of the transmembrane protein. These data are consistent with the view that band 3 is phosphorylated in intact erythrocytes by both PP1-resistant (most likely Syk) and PP1-inhibited (most likely Lyn) tyrosine kinases according to a sequential phosphorylation process. Similar radiolabeled peptide maps are obtained by tryptic digestion of (32)P-band 3 isolated from either pervanadate-treated erythrocytes or red cell membranes incubated with exogenous Syk and Lyn. It has also been demonstrated by means of mass spectrometry that the primary phosphorylation of band 3 occurs at Y8 and Y21, while the secondary phosphorylation affects Y359 and Y904. (Blood. 2000;96:1550-1557)

The crystal structure of the complex of Zea mays alpha subunit with a fragment of human beta subunit provides the clue to the architecture of protein kinase CK2 holoenzyme

The crystal structure of a complex between the catalytic alpha subunit of Zea mays CK2 and a 23-mer peptide corresponding the C-terminal sequence 181-203 of the human CK2 regulatory beta subunit has been determined at 3.16-A resolution. The complex, composed of two alpha chains and two peptides, presents a molecular twofold axis, with each peptide interacting with both alpha chains. In the derived model of the holoenzyme, the regulatory subunits are positioned on the opposite side with respect to the opening of the catalytic sites, that remain accessible to substrates and cosubstrates. The beta subunit can influence the catalytic activity both directly and by promoting the formation of the alpha2 dimer, in which each alpha chain interacts with the active site of the other. Furthermore, the two active sites are so close in space that they can simultaneously bind and phosphorylate two phosphoacceptor residues of the same substrate.

Susceptibility of the prion protein to enzymic phosphorylation

Ten protein kinases have been assayed for their ability to phosphorylate in vitro the recombinant bovine PrP (25-242) (rbPrP). Substantial phosphorylation was observed with PKC, CK2, and two tyrosine kinases, Lyn and c-Fgr. With regard to CK2, phosphorylation occurs at Ser 154 with a stoichiometry of about 0.1 mol phosphate/mol rbPrP, which is doubled by mild heat treatment of rbPrP. Heat also reduces the overall protein ellipticity, suggesting that reversibly unfolded conformers are more susceptible to phosphorylation. Our data disclose the possibility that phosphorylation might modulate PrP biological activity.

Ser/Thr phosphorylation of hematopoietic specific protein 1 (HS1): implication of protein kinase CK2

Hematopoietic lineage cell-specific protein 1 (HS1), a tyrosine multiphosphorylated protein implicated in receptor-mediated apoptosis and proliferative responses, is shown here to become Ser/Thr phosphorylated upon incubation of platelets with radiolabeled inorganic phosphate. The in vivo Ser/Thr phosphorylation of HS1 is enhanced by okadaic acid and reduced by specific inhibitors of casein kinase (CK)2. In vitro, HS1 is an excellent substrate for either CK2 alpha subunit alone (Km = 47 nM) or CK2 holoenzyme, tested in the presence of polylysine (Km = 400 nM). Phosphorylation reaches a stoichiometry of about 2 mol phosphate per mol HS1 and occurs mainly at threonyl residue(s), mostly located in the N-terminal region, but also at seryl residue(s) residing in the central core of the molecule (208-402), as judged from experiments with deleted forms of HS1. Ser/Thr phosphorylation of HS1, either induced in vivo by okadaic acid or catalysed in vitro by CK2, potentiates subsequent phosphorylation at tyrosyl residues. These data indicate the possibility that regulation of HS1 may also be under the control of Ser/Thr phosphorylation, and suggest that in quiescent cells CK2 could play a role in inducing constitutive Tyr phosphorylation of HS1 in the absence of stimuli that activate the protein tyrosine kinase pathway.