Gene expression levels of Casein kinase 1 (CK1) isoforms are correlated to adiponectin levels in adipose tissue of morbid obese patients and site-specific phosphorylation mediated by CK1 influences multimerization of adiponectin

Prognostic value and immunological role of CSNK1D in human cancers

CSNK1D, also known as CK1δ, is a crucial gene involved in various biological processes such as cell cycle, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, cell polarity, and cell motility. It is associated with different cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of CSNK1D in multiple human cancers, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), through in vitro experiments. The research utilized various online resources and databases like UCSC, NCBI, GEPIA2, HPA, cBioPortal, SangerBox, UALCAN, and TCGA for analyzing CSNK1D expression, prognosis significance, immune features, and gene alterations in cancers. RT-PCR was employed to evaluate CSNK1D expression in normal liver and liver cancer cell lines. In vitro experiments, including CCK-8, Edu, wound healing, and Transwell assays, were conducted to assess CSNK1D's biological function in HCC cells. Results demonstrated consistent upregulation of CSNK1D in various tumors. Heightened CSNK1D expression correlated with reduced overall survival and disease-free survival rates in different cancer patient cohorts. Significant associations were found between CSNK1D expression levels and immune cell infiltrations, immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor mutation burden, and microsatellite instability across multiple malignancies. Notably, statistical analyses using TCGA and ICGC data identified CSNK1D as a robust and independent prognostic biomarker in HCC. Inhibiting CSNK1D expression effectively hindered cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in cellular experiments. In conclusion, this study suggests that CSNK1D may serve as a biomarker for tumor prognosis and immunotherapy. It influences the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells.

Proto-oncogene FAM83A contributes to casein kinase 1-mediated mitochondrial maintenance and white adipocyte differentiation

Family with sequence similarity 83 A (FAM83A) is a newly discovered proto-oncogene that has been shown to play key roles in various cancers. However, the function of FAM83A in other physiological processes is not well known. Here, we report a novel function of FAM83A in adipocyte differentiation. We used an adipocyte-targeting fusion oligopeptide (FITC-ATS-9R) to deliver a FAM83A-sgRNA/Cas9 plasmid to knockdown Fam83a (ATS/sg-FAM83A) in white adipose tissue in mice, which resulted in reduced white adipose tissue mass, smaller adipocytes, and mitochondrial damage that was aggravated by a high-fat diet. In cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we found loss or knockdown of Fam83a significantly repressed lipid droplet formation and downregulated the expression of lipogenic genes and proteins. Furthermore, inhibition of Fam83a decreased mitochondrial ATP production through blockage of the electron transport chain, associated with enhanced apoptosis. Mechanistically, we demonstrate FAM83A interacts with casein kinase 1 (CK1) and promotes the permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Furthermore, loss of Fam83a in adipocytes hampered the formation of the TOM40 complex and impeded CK1-driven lipogenesis. Taken together, these results establish FAM83A as a critical regulator of mitochondria maintenance during adipogenesis.

Structure, regulation, and (patho-)physiological functions of the stress-induced protein kinase CK1 delta (CSNK1D)

Members of the highly conserved pleiotropic CK1 family of serine/threonine-specific kinases are tightly regulated in the cell and play crucial regulatory roles in multiple cellular processes from protozoa to human. Since their dysregulation as well as mutations within their coding regions contribute to the development of various different pathologies, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, they have become interesting new drug targets within the last decade. However, to develop optimized CK1 isoform-specific therapeutics in personalized therapy concepts, a detailed knowledge of the regulation and functions of the different CK1 isoforms, their various splice variants and orthologs is mandatory. In this review we will focus on the stress-induced CK1 isoform delta (CK1δ), thereby addressing its regulation, physiological functions, the consequences of its deregulation for the development and progression of diseases, and its potential as therapeutic drug target.

Adiponectin and Its Isoforms in Pathophysiology

Adiponectin circulates in blood in multiple isoforms. High molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin is thought to be most biologically active and promotes glucose uptake, insulin sensitivity, and fatty acid oxidation. In obesity, adiponectin isoform formation is disrupted, leading to an inverse association between metabolic disease and HMW and total adiponectin. Adiponectin isoforms also function as acute-phase reactants influencing inflammation in acute and chronic disease. Interestingly, adiponectin and mortality have a U-shaped association. Unfortunately, data concerning adiponectin and its pathophysiologic function conflict. This is predominantly due to difficulties in adequate measurement of adiponectin isoforms and lack of a gold standard. In this review we provide a general overview of the formation and function of adiponectin and its isoforms under physiologic conditions. We highlight the ways adiponectin isoform formation is disrupted in obesity and its ensuing pathologic conditions. Furthermore, we will elaborate on the role of adiponectin isoforms as inflammatory proteins with respect to cardiac and kidney disease and discuss the association of adiponectin with mortality. Finally, we will provide a historical perspective on the measurement of adiponectin isoforms, current limitations, and future challenges.

Targeting of the circadian clock via CK1δ/ε to improve glucose homeostasis in obesity

Growing evidence indicates that disruption of our internal timing system contributes to the incidence and severity of metabolic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is perhaps not surprising since components of the circadian clockwork are tightly coupled to metabolic processes across the body. In the current study, we assessed the impact of obesity on the circadian system in mice at a behavioural and molecular level, and determined whether pharmacological targeting of casein kinase 1δ and ε (CK1δ/ε), key regulators of the circadian clock, can confer metabolic benefit. We demonstrate that although behavioural rhythmicity was maintained in diet-induced obesity (DIO), gene expression profiling revealed tissue-specific alteration to the phase and amplitude of the molecular clockwork. Clock function was most significantly attenuated in visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) of DIO mice, and was coincident with elevated tissue inflammation, and dysregulation of clock-coupled metabolic regulators PPARα/γ. Further, we show that daily administration of a CK1δ/ε inhibitor (PF-5006739) improved glucose tolerance in both DIO and genetic (ob/ob) models of obesity. These data further implicate circadian clock disruption in obesity and associated metabolic disturbance, and suggest that targeting of the clock represents a therapeutic avenue for the treatment of metabolic disorders.