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Al-Qadhi MA, Yahya TAA, El-Nassan HB. Recent Advances in the Discovery of CK2 Inhibitors. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:20702-20719. [PMID: 38764653 PMCID: PMC11097362 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c10478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
CK2 is a vital enzyme that phosphorylates a large number of substrates and thereby controls many processes in the body. Its upregulation was reported in many cancer types. Inhibitors of CK2 might have anticancer activity, and two compounds are currently under clinical trials. However, both compounds are ATP-competitive inhibitors that may have off-target side effects. The development of allosteric and dual inhibitors can overcome this drawback. These inhibitors showed higher selectivity and specificity for the CK2 enzyme compared to the ATP-competitive inhibitors. The present review summarizes the efforts exerted in the last five years in the design of CK2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa A. Al-Qadhi
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sana’a University, 18084 Sana’a, Yemen
| | - Tawfeek A. A. Yahya
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sana’a University, 18084 Sana’a,Yemen
| | - Hala B. El-Nassan
- Pharmaceutical
Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
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2
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Pourali G, Ahmadzade AM, Arastonejad M, Pourali R, Kazemi D, Ghasemirad H, Khazaei M, Fiuji H, Nassiri M, Hassanian SM, Ferns GA, Avan A. The circadian clock as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:1243-1255. [PMID: 37405534 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04790-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a very high mortality rate globally. Despite ongoing efforts, its prognosis has not improved significantly over the last two decades. Thus, further approaches for optimizing treatment are required. Various biological processes oscillate in a circadian rhythm and are regulated by an endogenous clock. The machinery controlling the circadian cycle is tightly coupled with the cell cycle and can interact with tumor suppressor genes/oncogenes; and can therefore potentially influence cancer progression. Understanding the detailed interactions may lead to the discovery of prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers and new potential targets for treatment. Here, we explain how the circadian system relates to the cell cycle, cancer, and tumor suppressor genes/oncogenes. Furthermore, we propose that circadian clock genes may be potential biomarkers for some cancers and review the current advances in the treatment of PC by targeting the circadian clock. Despite efforts to diagnose pancreatic cancer early, it still remains a cancer with poor prognosis and high mortality rates. While studies have shown the role of molecular clock disruption in tumor initiation, development, and therapy resistance, the role of circadian genes in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis is not yet fully understood and further studies are required to better understand the potential of circadian genes as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazaleh Pourali
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Mahmoud Ahmadzade
- Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahshid Arastonejad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Roozbeh Pourali
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Danial Kazemi
- Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezar Jerib Street, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Ghasemirad
- Student Research Committee, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Fiuji
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Nassiri
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Division of Medical Education, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, BN1 9PH, UK
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia.
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, 37 Kent Street, QLD, 4102, Australia.
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Deng H, Rao X, Zhang S, Chen L, Zong Y, Zhou R, Meng R, Dong X, Wu G, Li Q. Protein kinase CK2: An emerging regulator of cellular metabolism. Biofactors 2023. [PMID: 38158592 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The protein kinase casein kinase 2 (CK2) exerts its influence on the metabolism of three major cellular substances by phosphorylating essential protein molecules involved in various cellular metabolic pathways. These substances include hormones, especially insulin, rate-limiting enzymes, transcription factors of key genes, and cytokines. This regulatory role of CK2 is closely tied to important cellular processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. Additionally, tumor cells undergo metabolic reprogramming characterized by aerobic glycolysis, accelerated lipid β-oxidation, and abnormally active glutamine metabolism. In this context, CK2, which is overexpressed in various tumors, also plays a pivotal role. Hence, this review aims to summarize the regulatory mechanisms of CK2 in diverse metabolic pathways and tumor development, providing novel insights for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of metabolism-related diseases and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilin Deng
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinrui Rao
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sijia Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Leichong Chen
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zong
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Meng
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaorong Dong
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qianwen Li
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Jeon J, Lee SY. CK2 inhibitor CX4945 inhibits collagen degradation of HaCaT human keratinocyte cells via attenuation of MMP-1 secretion. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:9691-9698. [PMID: 37658930 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08708-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During skin aging, the extracellular matrix (ECM) concomitantly breaks down. Out of the various protein components that comprise ECM, collagen is the most abundant one. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is a major collagenase that can degrade collagen. Therefore, the inhibition of MMP-1 may be critical for skin aging prevention. CX4945 is an inhibitor of casein kinase 2 and shows anticancer effects on various types of cancer cells. METHODS AND RESULTS In this report, we investigated the MMP-1-inhibiting effect of CX4945 in HaCaT human keratinocyte cells. We performed zymography assays, Western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation assay to investigate the anti-MMP-1 effects of CX4945. CX4945 was found to inhibit collagen degradation via attenuation of the MMP-1 secretion out of HaCaT cells. This activity of CX4945 may be mediated by the induction of MMP-1 ubiquitylation via c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling. In wound healing cell migration assay, CX4945 also showed suppressive effect on the migration of HaCaT cells. This finding was closely related to the attenuation of CREB transcription factor via the downregulation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase as observed in Western blot analysis. CONCLUSION Our report suggests that the inhibitory effects of CX4945 on MMP-1 in epidermal cells may offer a basis for further studying its therapeutic potential as an anti-wrinkle agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jusu Jeon
- Department of Life Sciences, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, 13120, Gyeonggi, Korea
| | - Sang Yeol Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, 13120, Gyeonggi, Korea.
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Iloki Assanga SB, Lewis Luján LM, McCarty MF. Targeting beta-catenin signaling for prevention of colorectal cancer - Nutraceutical, drug, and dietary options. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 956:175898. [PMID: 37481200 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Progressive up-regulation of β-catenin signaling is very common in the transformation of colorectal epithelium to colorectal cancer (CRC). Practical measures for opposing such signaling hence have potential for preventing or slowing such transformation. cAMP/PKA activity in colon epithelium, as stimulated by COX-2-generated prostaglandins and β2-adrenergic signaling, boosts β-catenin activity, whereas cGMP/PKG signaling has the opposite effect. Bacterial generation of short-chain fatty acids (as supported by unrefined high-carbohydrate diets, berberine, and probiotics), dietary calcium, daily aspirin, antioxidants opposing cox-2 induction, and nicotine avoidance, can suppress cAMP production in colonic epithelium, whereas cGMP can be boosted via linaclotides, PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil or icariin, and likely high-dose biotin. Selective activation of estrogen receptor-β by soy isoflavones, support of adequate vitamin D receptor activity with UV exposure or supplemental vitamin D, and inhibition of CK2 activity with flavanols such as quercetin, can also oppose β-catenin signaling in colorectal epithelium. Secondary bile acids, the colonic production of which can be diminished by low-fat diets and berberine, can up-regulate β-catenin activity by down-regulating farnesoid X receptor expression. Stimulation of PI3K/Akt via insulin, IGF-I, TLR4, and EGFR receptors boosts β-catenin levels via inhibition of glycogen synthase-3β; plant-based diets can down-regulate insulin and IGF-I levels, exercise training and leanness can keep insulin low, anthocyanins and their key metabolite ferulic acid have potential for opposing TLR4 signaling, and silibinin is a direct antagonist for EGFR. Partially hydrolyzed phytate can oppose growth factor-mediated down-regulation of β-catenin by inhibiting Akt activation. Multifactorial strategies for safely opposing β-catenin signaling can be complemented with measures that diminish colonic mutagenesis and DNA hypomethylation - such as avoidance of heme-rich meat and charred or processed meats, consumption of phase II-inductive foods and nutraceuticals (e.g., Crucifera), and assurance of adequate folate status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Bernard Iloki Assanga
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Blvd Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N Col. Centro, Hermosillo, Sonora, C.P. 83000, Mexico.
| | - Lidianys María Lewis Luján
- Technological Institute of Hermosillo (ITH), Ave. Tecnológico y Periférico Poniente S/N, Col. Sahuaro, Hermosillo, Sonora, C.P. 83170, México.
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Shoaib TH, Ibraheem W, Abdelrahman M, Osman W, Sherif AE, Ashour A, Ibrahim SRM, Ghazawi KF, Miski SF, Almadani SA, ALsiyud DF, Mohamed GA, Alzain AA. Exploring the potential of approved drugs for triple-negative breast cancer treatment by targeting casein kinase 2: Insights from computational studies. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289887. [PMID: 37578958 PMCID: PMC10424868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignancy that requires effective targeted drug therapy. In this study, we employed in silico methods to evaluate the efficacy of seven approved drugs against human ck2 alpha kinase, a significant modulator of TNBC metastasis and invasiveness. Molecular docking revealed that the co-crystallized reference inhibitor 108600 achieved a docking score of (-7.390 kcal/mol). Notably, among the seven approved drugs tested, sunitinib, bazedoxifene, and etravirine exhibited superior docking scores compared to the reference inhibitor. Specifically, their respective docking scores were -10.401, -7.937, and -7.743 kcal/mol. Further analysis using MM/GBSA demonstrated that these three top-ranked drugs possessed better binding energies than the reference ligand. Subsequent molecular dynamics simulations identified etravirine, an FDA-approved antiviral drug, as the only repurposed drug that demonstrated a stable and reliable binding mode with the human ck2 alpha protein, based on various analysis measures including RMSD, RMSF, and radius of gyration. Principal component analysis indicated that etravirine exhibited comparable stability of motion as a complex with human ck2 alpha protein, similar to the co-crystallized inhibitor. Additionally, Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on a complex of etravirine and a representative gold atom positioned at different sites relative to the heteroatoms of etravirine. The results of the DFT calculations revealed low-energy complexes that could potentially serve as guides for experimental trials involving gold nanocarriers of etravirine, enhancing its delivery to malignant cells and introducing a new drug delivery route. Based on the results obtained in this research study, etravirine shows promise as a potential antitumor agent targeting TNBC, warranting further investigation through experimental and clinical assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tagyedeen H. Shoaib
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Walaa Ibraheem
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Mohammed Abdelrahman
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Wadah Osman
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-kharj, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Asmaa E. Sherif
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-kharj, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ashour
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-kharj, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Sabrin R. M. Ibrahim
- Department of Chemistry, Preparatory Year Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Kholoud F. Ghazawi
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samar F. Miski
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara A. Almadani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Duaa Fahad ALsiyud
- Department of Medical Laboratories—Hematology, King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, Corniche Road, Andalus, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gamal A. Mohamed
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahim A. Alzain
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
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Liu J. P300 increases CSNK2A1 expression which accelerates colorectal cancer progression through activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR axis. Exp Cell Res 2023:113694. [PMID: 37391010 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Casein kinase 2 alpha 1 (CSNK2A1) is a known oncogene, but its role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain undefined. Here, we investigated the effects of CSNK2A1 during CRC development. In the current study, CSNK2A1 expression in the colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116, SW480, HT29, SW620 and Lovo) vs. normal colorectal cell line (CCD841 CoN) were compared via RT-qPCR and western blotting. The role of CSNK2A1 on CRC growth and metastases were investigated through Transwell assay. Immunofluorescence analysis was used to investigate the expression of EMT-related proteins. The association between P300/H3K27ac and CSNK2A1 were analyzed using UCSC bioinformatics and Chromatin-immunoprecipitation (Ch-IP) assays. Results revealed that both the mRNA and protein levels of CSNK2A1 in HCT116, SW480, HT29, SW620 and Lovo cells were upregulated. Additionally, P300-mediated H3K27ac activation at the CSNK2A1 promoter was found to drive the increase in CSNK2A1 expression. Transwell assay showed that CSNK2A1 overexpression increased the migration and invasion of HCT116 and SW480 cells, which decreased following CSNK2A1 silencing. CSNK2A1 was also found to facilitate EMT in HCT116 cells, evidenced by the increases of N-cadherin, Snail and Vimentin expression, and loss of E-cadherin. Importantly, the levels of p-AKT-S473/AKT, p-AKT-T308/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR in cells overexpressing CSNK2A1 were high, but significantly decreased following CSNK2A silencing. The PI3K inhibitor BAY-806946 could reverse the increase in p-AKT-S473/AKT, p-AKT-T308/AKT, p-mTOR/mTOR induced by CSNK2A1 overexpression and suppress CRC cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, we report a positive feedback mechanism through which P300 enhances CSNK2A1 expression and accelerates CRC progression through the activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilong Liu
- Tumor Surgical Department, Beijing Chuiyangliu Hospital, No.2, Chuiyangliu South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022, China.
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Wińska P, Sobiepanek A, Pawlak K, Staniszewska M, Cieśla J. Phosphorylation of Thymidylate Synthase and Dihydrofolate Reductase in Cancer Cells and the Effect of CK2α Silencing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24033023. [PMID: 36769342 PMCID: PMC9917831 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24033023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous research suggests an important regulatory role of CK2-mediated phosphorylation of enzymes involved in the thymidylate biosynthesis cycle, i.e., thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT). The aim of this study was to show whether silencing of the CK2α gene affects TS and DHFR expression in A-549 cells. Additionally, we attempted to identify the endogenous kinases that phosphorylate TS and DHFR in CCRF-CEM and A-549 cells. We used immunodetection, immunofluorescence/confocal analyses, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), in-gel kinase assay, and mass spectrometry analysis. Our results demonstrate that silencing of the CK2α gene in lung adenocarcinoma cells significantly increases both TS and DHFR expression and affects their cellular distribution. Additionally, we show for the first time that both TS and DHFR are very likely phosphorylated by endogenous CK2 in two types of cancer cells, i.e., acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and lung adenocarcinoma. Moreover, our studies indicate that DHFR is phosphorylated intracellularly by CK2 to a greater extent in leukaemia cells than in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Interestingly, in-gel kinase assay results indicate that the CK2α' isoform was more active than the CK2α subunit. Our results confirm the previous studies concerning the physiological relevance of CK2-mediated phosphorylation of TS and DHFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Wińska
- Chair of Drug and Cosmetics Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: (P.W.); (M.S.); Tel.: +48-222-345-573 (P.W.); +48-606-438-241 (M.S.)
| | - Anna Sobiepanek
- Chair of Drug and Cosmetics Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Pawlak
- Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Staniszewska
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Technologies, Warsaw University of Technology, Poleczki 19, 02-822 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: (P.W.); (M.S.); Tel.: +48-222-345-573 (P.W.); +48-606-438-241 (M.S.)
| | - Joanna Cieśla
- Chair of Drug and Cosmetics Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
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Okanishi H, Ohgaki R, Xu M, Endou H, Kanai Y. Phosphoproteomics revealed cellular signals immediately responding to disruption of cancer amino acid homeostasis induced by inhibition of l-type amino acid transporter 1. Cancer Metab 2022; 10:18. [PMID: 36357940 PMCID: PMC9650822 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-022-00295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer-upregulated l-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1; SLC7A5) supplies essential amino acids to cancer cells. LAT1 substrates are not only needed for cancer rapid growth, but involved in cellular signaling. LAT1 has been proposed as a potential target for cancer treatment—its inhibitor, JPH203, is currently in clinical trials and targets biliary tract cancer (BTC). Here, we revealed to what extent LAT1 inhibitor affects intracellular amino acid content and what kind of cellular signals are directly triggered by LAT1 inhibition. Methods Liquid chromatography assay combined with o-phthalaldehyde- and 9-fluorenyl-methylchloroformate-based derivatization revealed changes in intracellular amino acid levels induced by LAT1 inhibition with JPH203 treatment in three BTC cell lines. Tandem mass tag-based quantitative phosphoproteomics characterized the effect of JPH203 treatment on BTC cells, and suggested key regulators in LAT1-inhibited cells. We further studied one of the key regulators, CK2 protein kinase, by using Western blot, enzymatic activity assay, and co-immunoprecipitation. We evaluated anticancer effects of combination of JPH203 with CK2 inhibitor using cell growth and would healing assay. Results JPH203 treatment decreased intracellular levels of LAT1 substrates including essential amino acids of three BTC cell lines, immediately and drastically. We also found levels of some of these amino acids were partially recovered after longer-time treatment. Therefore, we performed phosphoproteomics with short-time JPH203 treatment prior to the cellular compensatory response, and revealed hundreds of differentially phosphorylated sites. Commonly downregulated phosphorylation sites were found on proteins involved in the cell cycle and RNA splicing. Our phosphoproteomics also suggested key regulators immediately responding to LAT1 inhibition. Focusing on one of these regulators, protein kinase CK2, we revealed LAT1 inhibition decreased phosphorylation of CK2 substrate without changing CK2 enzymatic activity. Furthermore, LAT1 inhibition abolished interaction between CK2 and its regulatory protein NOLC1, which suggests regulatory mechanism of CK2 substrate protein specificity controlled by LAT1 inhibition. Moreover, we revealed that the combination of JPH203 with CK2 inhibitor resulted in the enhanced inhibition of proliferation and migration of BTC cells. Conclusion This study provides new perspectives on LAT1-dependent cellular processes and a rationale for therapeutics targeting reprogrammed cancer metabolism. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40170-022-00295-8.
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Gaikwad S, Agrawal MY, Kaushik I, Ramachandran S, Srivastava SK. Immune checkpoint proteins: Signaling mechanisms and molecular interactions in cancer immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:137-150. [PMID: 35341913 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint proteins (ICP) are currently one of the most novel and promising areas of immune-oncology research. This novel way of targeting tumor cells has shown favorable success over the past few years with some FDA approvals such as Ipilimumab, Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab etc. Currently, more than 3000 clinical trials of immunotherapeutic agents are ongoing with majority being ICPs. However, as the number of trials increase so do the challenges. Some challenges such as adverse side effects, non-specific binding on healthy tissues and absence of response in some subset populations are critical obstacles. For a safe and effective further therapeutic development of molecules targeting ICPs, understanding their mechanism at molecular level is crucial. Since ICPs are mostly membrane bound receptors, a number of downstream signaling pathways divaricate following ligand-receptor binding. Most ICPs are expressed on more than one type of immune cell populations. Further, the expression varies within a cell type. This naturally varied expression pattern adds to the difficulty of targeting specific effector immune cell types against cancer. Hence, understanding the expression pattern and cellular mechanism helps lay out the possible effect of any immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the signaling mechanism, expression pattern among various immune cells and molecular interactions derived using interaction database analysis (BioGRID).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyas Gaikwad
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Manas Yogendra Agrawal
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Itishree Kaushik
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Sharavan Ramachandran
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Sanjay K Srivastava
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA.
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11
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The Role of Protein Kinase CK2 in Development and Disease Progression: A Critical Review. J Dev Biol 2022; 10:jdb10030031. [PMID: 35997395 PMCID: PMC9397010 DOI: 10.3390/jdb10030031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2 (CK2) is a ubiquitous holoenzyme involved in a wide array of developmental processes. The involvement of CK2 in events such as neurogenesis, cardiogenesis, skeletogenesis, and spermatogenesis is essential for the viability of almost all organisms, and its role has been conserved throughout evolution. Further into adulthood, CK2 continues to function as a key regulator of pathways affecting crucial processes such as osteogenesis, adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, neuron differentiation, and the immune response. Due to its vast role in a multitude of pathways, aberrant functioning of this kinase leads to embryonic lethality and numerous diseases and disorders, including cancer and neurological disorders. As a result, CK2 is a popular target for interventions aiming to treat the aforementioned diseases. Specifically, two CK2 inhibitors, namely CX-4945 and CIBG-300, are in the early stages of clinical testing and exhibit promise for treating cancer and other disorders. Further, other researchers around the world are focusing on CK2 to treat bone disorders. This review summarizes the current understanding of CK2 in development, the structure of CK2, the targets and signaling pathways of CK2, the implication of CK2 in disease progression, and the recent therapeutics developed to inhibit the dysregulation of CK2 function in various diseases.
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12
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Zheng Y, Hou C, Yuan H, Hu N, Tan B, Zhang S. Catalytic and regulatory subunits of casein kinase 2 in Penaeus vannamei: Cloning, identification, expression profiles and functional analysis. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 124:230-243. [PMID: 35421572 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.03.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase with catalytic and regulatory subunits distributed ubiquitously in eukaryotic organisms, casein kinase 2 (CK2) is involved in multiple cellular functions, including immune regulation. In this study, two variants of the catalytic subunit (designated PvCK2α-1 and PvCK2α-2) and the regulatory subunit homologs (designated PvCK2β-1 and PvCK2β-2) in Penaeus vannamei were cloned and characterised. PvCK2α-1 and PvCK2α-2 shared the same genomic sequence consisting of six exons and five introns and encoded the same protein of 350 amino acids with an S_TKc domain, although there was a sequence deletion in 3'-UTR in PvCK2α-2 when compared with PvCK2α-1. Because of the sequence deletion in the ORF, PvCK2β-1 and PvCK2β-2 encoded different proteins with a CK_II_beta domain. The gene structures of PvCK2β-1 and PvCK2β-2 were identical and consisted of four exons and three introns. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that PvCK2α and PvCK2β were constitutively expressed in all P. vannamei tissues tested, with higher levels detected in the immune-related tissues including hemocytes, hepatopancreas, gills and intestine. In these four tissue types, all variants of PvCK2α and PvCK2β were induced upon challenge with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Staphyloccocus aureus. The inhibition of PvCK2α, PvCK2β-1 and PvCK2βComb (the amount of PvCK2β-1 and PvCK2β-2) significantly reduced the survival rates of P. vannamei after WSSV infection and significantly increased the WSSV viral loads. Knockdown of PvCK2 by RNAi could distinctly decrease the expression of NF-κB related genes. All of these results suggest that PvCK2 plays an important role in the innate immune response to pathogen challenges in P. vannamei, with a positive role in anti-WSSV response which may be mediated through regulating the expression of NF-κB drived antimicrobial peptide genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Zheng
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Cuihong Hou
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Hang Yuan
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Naijie Hu
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Beiping Tan
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China; Aquatic Animals Precision Nutrition and High Efficiency Feed Engineering Research Center of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic Non-grain-based Feed Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China; Aquatic Animals Precision Nutrition and High Efficiency Feed Engineering Research Center of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, China; Key Laboratory of Aquatic Non-grain-based Feed Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhanjiang, China.
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13
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Sun ZG, Li ZN, Zhang JM, Hou XY, Yeh SM, Ming X. Recent Development of Flavonoids with Various Activities. Curr Top Med Chem 2022; 22:305-329. [PMID: 35040404 DOI: 10.2174/1568026622666220117111858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Flavonoids, a series of compounds with C6-C3-C6 structure, mostly originate from plant metabolism. Flavonoids have shown beneficial effects on many aspects of human physiology and health. Recently, many flavonoids with various activities have been discovered, which has led to more and more studies focusing on their physiological and pharmacodynamic activities. The anti-cancer and anti-viral activities especially have attracted the attention of many researchers. Therefore, the discovery and development of flavonoids as anti-disease drugs has great potential and may make significant contribution to fighting diseases. This review focus on the discovery and development of flavonoids in medicinal chemistry in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Gang Sun
- Central Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, No.17 Jiankang Road, Linyi 276400, China
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Zhi-Na Li
- Central Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, No.17 Jiankang Road, Linyi 276400, China
| | - Jin-Mai Zhang
- Room 205, BIO-X white house, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Yan Hou
- Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 8888 Lvyou Road, High-tech Zone, Jinan, 250104, P.R. China
| | - Stacy Mary Yeh
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Xin Ming
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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14
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Anjum F, Sulaimani MN, Shafie A, Mohammad T, Ashraf GM, Bilgrami AL, Alhumaydhi FA, Alsagaby SA, Yadav DK, Hassan MI. Bioactive phytoconstituents as potent inhibitors of casein kinase-2: dual implications in cancer and COVID-19 therapeutics. RSC Adv 2022; 12:7872-7882. [PMID: 35424745 PMCID: PMC8982221 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra09339h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a conserved serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in hematopoietic cell survival, cell cycle control, DNA repair, and other cellular processes. It plays a significant role in cancer progression and viral infection. CK2 is considered a potential drug target in cancers and COVID-19 therapy. In this study, we have performed a virtual screening of phytoconstituents from the IMPPAT database to identify some potential inhibitors of CK2. The initial filter was the physicochemical properties of the molecules following the Lipinski rule of five. Then binding affinity calculation, PAINS filter, ADMET, and PASS analyses followed by interaction analysis were carried out to discover nontoxic and better hits. Finally, two compounds, stylopine and dehydroevodiamines with appreciable affinity and specific interaction towards CK2, were identified. Their time-evolution analyses were carried out using all-atom molecular dynamics simulation, principal component analysis and free energy landscape. Altogether, we propose that stylopine and dehydroevodiamines can be further explored in in vitro and in vivo settings to develop anticancer and antiviral therapeutics. Showing protein–ligands interactions, electrostatic potential of CK2 bound to selected compounds, free energy landscapes of CK2-stylopine, and CK2-dehydroevodiamines complexes.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Anjum
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P. O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Nayab Sulaimani
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Alaa Shafie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P. O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taj Mohammad
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Ghulam Md. Ashraf
- Pre-Clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 21589
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anwar L. Bilgrami
- Deanship of Scientific Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad A. Alhumaydhi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suliman A. Alsagaby
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11932, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon City 21924, Korea
| | - Md. Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India
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15
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Ye H, Fu D, Fang X, Xie Y, Zheng X, Fan W, Hu F, Li Z. Casein Kinase II exacerbates rheumatoid arthritis via promoting Th1 and Th17 cell inflammatory responses. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:1017-1024. [PMID: 34806506 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.2010190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies have demonstrated that CK2 is engaged in CD4+ T cell proliferation and activation. We investigated the potential involvement of CK2 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Peripheral blood and synovial fluid mononuclear cells (PBMC and SFMC) of RA patients, as well as splenocytes of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were treated with different doses of CK2 inhibitor CX4945 in vitro. Then, the Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cell responses were analyzed. In addition, CIA mice were administrated with CX4945 via oral gavage. Accordingly, the arthritis scores, bone destruction, tissue damage, and the CD4+ T cell subsets were assessed. RESULTS The expression of CK2 was upregulated in CD4+ T cells under RA circumstance. In vitro CX4945 treatment significantly inhibited the Th1 and Th17 cell responses, while promoted the Th2 cell responses in RA patient PBMC, SFMC and CIA mouse splenocytes, dampening IFN-γ and IL-17A production. Moreover, administration of CX4945 ameliorated the severity of arthritis in CIA mice, along with decreased Th1 and Th17 cells. However, CX4945 seemed to have minimal effect on RA Treg cells. CONCLUSION CK2 serves as an important regulator of the Th1 and Th17 cell axes in RA, thus contributing to the disease aggravation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Ye
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (Bz0135), Peking, China
| | - Dongdong Fu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang, China.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Henan, China
| | - Xiangyu Fang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (Bz0135), Peking, China
| | - Yang Xie
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (Bz0135), Peking, China
| | - Xi Zheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (Bz0135), Peking, China
| | - Wenqiang Fan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang, China.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Henan, China
| | - Fanlei Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (Bz0135), Peking, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Peking, China.,Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Peking, China
| | - Zhanguo Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (Bz0135), Peking, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Peking, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Peking, China
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16
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Nickelsen A, Jose J. Label-free flow cytometry-based enzyme inhibitor identification. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1179:338826. [PMID: 34535248 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescence-based methods for the identification of enzyme inhibitors are widespread, but usually require protein or ligand labelling. In this study, we present a label-free displacement assay that takes advantage of the intrinsic fluorescence of a tight binding ligand avoiding any labeling. Autodisplay-based accessibility of the target enzyme on the cell surface of Escherichia coli enabled the quantification of fluorescent ligand binding by flow cytometry. Human protein kinase CK2 was used as proof-of-concept enzyme and its ATP competitive inhibitor (E)-1,3-dichloro-6-[(4-methoxyphenylimino)methyl]dibenzo[b,d]furan-2,7-diol (compound 5) was shown to exhibit intrinsic fluorescence (λmax(ex) = 370 nm, λmax(em) = 585 nm). Binding of compound 5 to CK2 displaying cells was quantified via flow cytometry with linearly increasing relative fluorescence up to a concentration of 1.25 μM. The addition of the non-fluorescent CK2 inhibitor 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) competed for compound 5 binding with a half maximal fluorescence reduction at 15.6 μM TBB. This new and simple binding assay provides a valuable tool for the screening of high affinity enzyme inhibitors, overcoming the limitations of fluorescent ligand labelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nickelsen
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, PharmaCampus, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstraße 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Joachim Jose
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, PharmaCampus, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstraße 48, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
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17
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Protein kinase CK2: a potential therapeutic target for diverse human diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:183. [PMID: 33994545 PMCID: PMC8126563 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00567-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CK2 is a constitutively active Ser/Thr protein kinase, which phosphorylates hundreds of substrates, controls several signaling pathways, and is implicated in a plethora of human diseases. Its best documented role is in cancer, where it regulates practically all malignant hallmarks. Other well-known functions of CK2 are in human infections; in particular, several viruses exploit host cell CK2 for their life cycle. Very recently, also SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has been found to enhance CK2 activity and to induce the phosphorylation of several CK2 substrates (either viral and host proteins). CK2 is also considered an emerging target for neurological diseases, inflammation and autoimmune disorders, diverse ophthalmic pathologies, diabetes, and obesity. In addition, CK2 activity has been associated with cardiovascular diseases, as cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, and cardiac hypertrophy. The hypothesis of considering CK2 inhibition for cystic fibrosis therapies has been also entertained for many years. Moreover, psychiatric disorders and syndromes due to CK2 mutations have been recently identified. On these bases, CK2 is emerging as an increasingly attractive target in various fields of human medicine, with the advantage that several very specific and effective inhibitors are already available. Here, we review the literature on CK2 implication in different human pathologies and evaluate its potential as a pharmacological target in the light of the most recent findings.
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18
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Clocking cancer: the circadian clock as a target in cancer therapy. Oncogene 2021; 40:3187-3200. [PMID: 33846572 PMCID: PMC8549632 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01778-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Disruption of the cellular pathway modulating endogenous 24-h rhythms, referred to as "the circadian clock", has been recently proven to be associated with cancer risk, development, and progression. This pathway operates through a complex network of transcription-translation feedback loops generated by a set of interplaying proteins. The expression of core circadian clock genes is frequently dysregulated in human tumors; however, the specific effects and underlying mechanisms seem to vary depending on the cancer types and are not fully understood. In addition, specific oncogenes may differentially induce the dysregulation of the circadian clock in tumors. Pharmacological modulation of clock components has been shown to result in specific lethality in certain types of cancer cells, and thus holds great promise as a novel anti-cancer therapeutic approach. Here we present an overview of the rationale and current evidence for targeting the clock in cancer treatment.
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19
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Hitz E, Grüninger O, Passecker A, Wyss M, Scheurer C, Wittlin S, Beck HP, Brancucci NMB, Voss TS. The catalytic subunit of Plasmodium falciparum casein kinase 2 is essential for gametocytogenesis. Commun Biol 2021; 4:336. [PMID: 33712726 PMCID: PMC7954856 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01873-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a pleiotropic kinase phosphorylating substrates in different cellular compartments in eukaryotes. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, PfCK2 is vital for asexual proliferation of blood-stage parasites. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing to investigate the function of the PfCK2α catalytic subunit in gametocytes, the sexual forms of the parasite that are essential for malaria transmission. We show that PfCK2α localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm in asexual and sexual parasites alike. Conditional knockdown of PfCK2α expression prevented the transition of stage IV into transmission-competent stage V gametocytes, whereas the conditional knockout of pfck2a completely blocked gametocyte maturation already at an earlier stage of sexual differentiation. In summary, our results demonstrate that PfCK2α is not only essential for asexual but also sexual development of P. falciparum blood-stage parasites and encourage studies exploring PfCK2α as a potential target for dual-active antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hitz
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Grüninger
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Armin Passecker
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Wyss
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Scheurer
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Peter Beck
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas M. B. Brancucci
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Till S. Voss
- grid.416786.a0000 0004 0587 0574Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ,grid.6612.30000 0004 1937 0642University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
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20
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Lee S, Kim J, Jo J, Chang JW, Sim J, Yun H. Recent advances in development of hetero-bivalent kinase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 216:113318. [PMID: 33730624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Identifying a pharmacological agent that targets only one of more than 500 kinases present in humans is an important challenge. One potential solution to this problem is the development of bivalent kinase inhibitors, which consist of two connected fragments, each bind to a dissimilar binding site of the bisubstrate enzyme. The main advantage of bivalent (type V) kinase inhibitors is generating more interactions with target enzymes that can enhance the molecules' selectivity and affinity compared to single-site inhibitors. Earlier type V inhibitors were not suitable for the cellular environment and were mostly used in in vitro studies. However, recently developed bivalent compounds have high kinase affinity, high biological and chemical stability in vivo. This review summarized the hetero-bivalent kinase inhibitors described in the literature from 2014 to the present. We attempted to classify the molecules by serine/threonine and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and then each target kinase and its hetero-bivalent inhibitor was assessed in depth. In addition, we discussed the analysis of advantages, limitations, and perspectives of bivalent kinase inhibitors compared with the monovalent kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungbeom Lee
- College of Pharmacy, CHA University, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 11160, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisu Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeyun Jo
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Won Chang
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jaehoon Sim
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hwayoung Yun
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Protein kinase CK2 inhibition as a pharmacological strategy. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 124:23-46. [PMID: 33632467 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
CK2 is a constitutively active Ser/Thr protein kinase which phosphorylates hundreds of substrates. Since they are primarily related to survival and proliferation pathways, the best-known pathological roles of CK2 are in cancer, where its targeting is currently being considered as a possible therapy. However, CK2 activity has been found instrumental in many other human pathologies, and its inhibition will expectably be extended to different purposes in the near future. Here, after a description of CK2 features and implications in diseases, we analyze the different inhibitors and strategies available to target CK2, and update the results so far obtained by their in vivo application.
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22
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Larson SR, Bortell N, Illies A, Crisler WJ, Matsuda JL, Lenz LL. Myeloid Cell CK2 Regulates Inflammation and Resistance to Bacterial Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:590266. [PMID: 33363536 PMCID: PMC7752951 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.590266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinase activity plays an essential role in the regulation of immune cell defenses against pathogens. The protein kinase CK2 (formerly casein kinase II) is an evolutionarily conserved kinase with hundreds of identified substrates. CK2 is ubiquitously expressed in somatic and immune cells, but the roles of CK2 in regulation of immune cell function remain largely elusive. This reflects the essential role of CK2 in organismal development and limited prior work with conditional CK2 mutant murine models. Here, we generated mice with a conditional (floxed) allele of Csnk2a, which encodes the catalytic CK2α subunit of CK2. When crossed to Lyz2-cre mice, excision of Csnk2a sequence impaired CK2α expression in myeloid cells but failed to detectably alter myeloid cell development. By contrast, deficiency for CK2α increased inflammatory myeloid cell recruitment, activation, and resistance following systemic Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection. Results from mixed chimera experiments indicated that CK2α deficiency in only a subset of myeloid cells was not sufficient to reduce bacterial burdens. Nor did cell-intrinsic deficiency for CK2α suffice to alter accumulation or activation of monocytes and neutrophils in infected tissues. These data suggest that CK2α expression by Lyz2-expressing cells promotes inflammatory and anti-bacterial responses through effects in trans. Our results highlight previously undescribed suppressive effects of CK2 activity on inflammatory myeloid cell responses and illustrate that cell-extrinsic effects of CK2 can shape inflammatory and protective innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy R. Larson
- Immunology and Microbiology Department, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Nikki Bortell
- Immunology and Microbiology Department, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alysha Illies
- Immunology and Microbiology Department, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - William J. Crisler
- Immunology and Microbiology Department, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Matsuda
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Laurel L. Lenz
- Immunology and Microbiology Department, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Biomedical Research, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
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Husain K, Williamson TT, Nelson N, Ghansah T. Protein kinase 2 (CK2): a potential regulator of immune cell development and function in cancer. Immunol Med 2020; 44:159-174. [PMID: 33164702 DOI: 10.1080/25785826.2020.1843267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2, formally known as casein kinase II, is ubiquitously expressed and highly conserved serine/threonine or tyrosine kinase enzyme that regulates diverse signaling pathways responsible for cellular processes (i.e., cell proliferation and apoptosis) via interactions with over 500 known substrates. The enzyme's physiological interactions and cellular functions have been widely studied, most notably in the blood and solid malignancies. CK2 has intrinsic role in carcinogenesis as overexpression of CK2 subunits (α, α`, and β) and deregulation of its activity have been linked to various forms of cancers. CK2 also has extrinsic role in cancer stroma or in the tumor microenvironment (TME) including the immune cells. However, very few research studies have focused on extrinsic role of CK2 in regulating immune responses as a therapeutic alternative for cancer. The following review discusses CK2's regulation of key signaling events [Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), Hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α), Cyclooygenase-2 (COX-2), Extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK), Notch, Protein kinase B/AKT, Ikaros and Wnt] that can influence the development and function of immune cells in cancer. Potential clinical trials using potent CK2 inhibitors will facilitate and improve the treatment of human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazim Husain
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Tanika T Williamson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Nadine Nelson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Tomar Ghansah
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Synergistic Interactions of 5-Fluorouracil with Inhibitors of Protein Kinase CK2 Correlate with p38 MAPK Activation and FAK Inhibition in the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176234. [PMID: 32872257 PMCID: PMC7504329 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The combination effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with either CX-4945 or a new inhibitor of protein kinase CK2, namely 14B (4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1-(3-bromopropyl)-2-methyl-1H-benzimidazole), on the viability of MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines was studied. Methods: Combination index (CI) values were determined using an MTT-based assay and the Chou-Talalay model. The effect of the tested drug combinations on pro-apoptotic properties and cell cycle progression was examined using flow cytometry. The activation of FAK, p38 MAPK, and ERK1/2 kinases and the expression of selected pro-apoptotic markers in MDA-MB-231 cell line after the combined treatment were evaluated by the western blot method. Confocal microscopy was used to examine actin network in MDA-MB-231. Results: Our results showed that a synergistic effect (CI < 1) occurred in MDA-MB-231 after treatment with both combinations of 5-FU with 14B or CX-4945, whereas the combination of 5-FU and 14B evoked an antagonistic effect in MCF-7. We conclude that the synergistic interactions (CI < 1) observed for both the combinations of 5-FU and 14B or CX-4945 in MDA-MB-231 correlated with an activation of p38 MAPK, inhibition of FAK, increased expression of apoptogenic markers, prolongation of S-phase of cell cycle, and destabilization of actin network. Conclusions: The obtained results support the recent observation that CK2 inhibitors can improve 5-FU-based anticancer therapy and FAK kinase can be an attractive molecular target in breast cancer therapy.
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25
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Nasako H, Takashina Y, Eguchi H, Ito A, Ishikawa Y, Matsunaga T, Endo S, Ikari A. Increase in Toxicity of Anticancer Drugs by PMTPV, a Claudin-1-Binding Peptide, Mediated via Down-Regulation of Claudin-1 in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165909. [PMID: 32824620 PMCID: PMC7460671 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Claudin-1 (CLDN1), a tight junctional protein, is highly expressed in lung cancer cells and may contribute to chemoresistance. A drug which decreases CLDN1 expression could be a chemosensitizer for enhancing the efficacy of anticancer drugs, but there is no such drug known. We found that PMTPV, a short peptide, which mimics the structure of second extracellular loop (ECL2) of CLDN1, can reduce the protein level of CLDN1 without affecting the mRNA level in A549 cells derived from human lung adenocarcinoma. The PMTPV-induced decrease in CLDN1 expression was inhibited by monodansylcadaverine, a clathrin-mediated endocytosis inhibitor, and chloroquine, a lysosome inhibitor. Quartz crystal microbalance assay showed that PMTPV can directly bind to the ECL2 of CLDN1. In transwell assay, PMTPV increased fluxes of Lucifer yellow (LY), a paracellular flux marker, and doxorubicin (DXR), an anthracycline anticancer drug, without affecting transepithelial electrical resistance. In three-dimensional spheroid culture, the size and cell viability were unchanged by short peptides, but the fluorescence intensity of hypoxia probe LOX-1 was decreased by PMTPV. PMTPV elevated the accumulation and cytotoxicity of DXR in the spheroids. Similar results were observed by knockdown of CLDN1. Furthermore, the sensitivities to cisplatin (CDDP), docetaxel, and gefitinib were enhanced by PMTPV. The level of CLDN1 expression in CDDP-resistant cells was higher than that in parental A549 cells, which was reduced by PMTPV. PMTPV restored the toxicity to DXR in the CDDP-resistant cells. Our data suggest that PMTPV may become a novel chemosensitizer for lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Nasako
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan; (H.N.); (Y.T.); (H.E.); (A.I.); (S.E.)
| | - Yui Takashina
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan; (H.N.); (Y.T.); (H.E.); (A.I.); (S.E.)
| | - Hiroaki Eguchi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan; (H.N.); (Y.T.); (H.E.); (A.I.); (S.E.)
| | - Ayaka Ito
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan; (H.N.); (Y.T.); (H.E.); (A.I.); (S.E.)
| | - Yoshinobu Ishikawa
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan;
| | - Toshiyuki Matsunaga
- Education Center of Green Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 502-8585, Japan;
| | - Satoshi Endo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan; (H.N.); (Y.T.); (H.E.); (A.I.); (S.E.)
| | - Akira Ikari
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan; (H.N.); (Y.T.); (H.E.); (A.I.); (S.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-58-230-8124; Fax: +81-58-230-8124
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Pérez-Moreno P, Quezada-Meza C, Chavez-Almarza C, Niechi I, Silva-Pavez E, Trigo-Hidalgo C, Aguayo F, Jara L, Cáceres-Verschae A, Varas-Godoy M, Díaz VM, García de Herreros A, Burzio VA, Tapia JC. Phosphorylation of Endothelin-Converting Enzyme-1c at Serines 18 and 20 by CK2 Promotes Aggressiveness Traits in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1004. [PMID: 32850305 PMCID: PMC7406796 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE1) activates the endothelin-1 peptide, which upregulates pathways that are related to diverse hallmarks of cancer. ECE1 is expressed as four isoforms differing in their N-terminal domains. Protein kinase CK2 phosphorylates the N-terminus of isoform ECE1c, enhancing its stability and promoting invasiveness of colorectal cancer cells. However, the specific residues in ECE1c that are phosphorylated by CK2 and how this phosphorylation promotes invasiveness was unknown. Here we demonstrate that Ser-18 and Ser-20 are the bona fide residues phosphorylated by CK2 in ECE1c. Thus, biphospho-mimetic ECE1cDD and biphospho-resistant ECE1cAA mutants were constructed and stably expressed in different colorectal cancer cells through lentiviral transduction. Biphospho-mimetic ECE1cDD displayed the highest stability in cells, even in the presence of the specific CK2 inhibitor silmitasertib. Concordantly, ECE1cDD-expressing cells showed enhanced hallmarks of cancer, such as proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and self-renewal capacities. Conversely, cells expressing the less-stable biphospho-resistant ECE1cAA showed a reduction in these features, but also displayed an important sensitization to 5-fluorouracil, an antineoplastic agent traditionally used as therapy in colorectal cancer patients. Altogether, these findings suggest that phosphorylation of ECE1c at Ser-18 and Ser-20 by CK2 promotes aggressiveness in colorectal cancer cells. Therefore, phospho-ECE1c may constitute a novel biomarker of poor prognosis and CK2 inhibition may be envisioned as a potential therapy for colorectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Pérez-Moreno
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Quezada-Meza
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristopher Chavez-Almarza
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ignacio Niechi
- Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Eduardo Silva-Pavez
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - César Trigo-Hidalgo
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Aguayo
- Programa de Virología, Facultad de Medicina, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lilian Jara
- Programa de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Albano Cáceres-Verschae
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel Varas-Godoy
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Víctor M Díaz
- Unidad Asociada CSIC, Programa de Recerca en Cáncer, Departament de Ciéncies Experimentals i de la Salut, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Médiques, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio García de Herreros
- Unidad Asociada CSIC, Programa de Recerca en Cáncer, Departament de Ciéncies Experimentals i de la Salut, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Médiques, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verónica A Burzio
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Andes Biotechnologies SpA, Santiago, Chile
| | - Julio C Tapia
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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DiNicolantonio JJ, McCarty MF. Targeting Casein kinase 2 with quercetin or enzymatically modified isoquercitrin as a strategy for boosting the type 1 interferon response to viruses and promoting cardiovascular health. Med Hypotheses 2020; 142:109800. [PMID: 32388479 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase CK2 has been shown to down-regulate the production of type 1 interferons in response to viral infections by conferring an inhibitory phosphorylation on RIG-I, which functions to detect double-stranded RNA generated during replication of RNA viruses. Quercetin and certain other planar flavones/flavonols can inhibit CK2 in high nanomolar concentrations; this may explain quercetin's ability to slow the proliferation of RNA viruses in cell cultures and in mice. Limited clinical evidence suggests that supplemental quercetin may decrease risk for upper respiratory infections in humans. Quercetin and enzymatically-modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ - a food additive/nutraceutical that upon oral administration achieves far higher plasma concentrations of quercetin than quercetin per se) also have exerted a range of vascular-protective effects clinically and in rodents - improving endothelial function, warding off atherosclerosis, lowering blood pressure, decreasing C-reactive protein, aiding glycemic control, stabilizing platelets - that might also, at least in part, reflect CK2 inhibition. The utility of quercetin, EMIQ, and other clinically feasible CK2 inhibitors for aiding control of viral infections and promoting vascular and metabolic health merits further evaluation.
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28
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Feng Q, Huang Y, Yao D, Zhu C, Li S, Ma H, Aweya JJ, Zhang Y. Litopenaeus vannamei CK2 is involved in shrimp innate immunity by modulating hemocytes apoptosis. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 94:643-653. [PMID: 31563555 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.09.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2 (CK2) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase with multiple cellular functions in vertebrates including apoptosis, differentiation, proliferation, survival, tumorigenesis, signal transduction, immune regulation and inflammation. In the current study, the catalytic and regulatory subunit homologs of Litopenaeus vannamei protein kinase CK2 (LvCK2α and LvCK2β) were cloned and characterized. LvCK2α has a full-length cDNA sequence of 1764 bp with a 1053 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative protein of 351 amino acids, which contains a typical serine/threonine kinase domain. On the other hand, LvCK2β has a 1394 bp full-length cDNA with an ORF of 663 bp encoding a protein with 221 amino acids, which contains a Casein kinase II regulatory subunit domain. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that LvCK2 was evolutionary related with the CK2 of invertebrates. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that LvCK2α and LvCK2β transcripts were widely expressed in all shrimp tissues tested, and were both induced in hemocytes and hepatopancreas upon challenge with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Streptoccocus iniae, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), suggesting their involvement in shrimp immune response. Moreover, RNA interference (RNAi) of LvCK2α resulted in increased hemocytes apoptosis, shown by high caspase 3/7 activity, increased number of apoptotic cells, coupled with an elevation in transcript levels of pro-apoptotic LvCaspase3 and LvCytochrome C, and a reduction in mRNA levels of pro-survival LvBcl2, LvIAP1, and LvIAP2. In addition, LvCK2α knockdown followed by V. parahaemolyticus challenge resulted in higher cumulative mortality of shrimp. Taken together, our current findings suggest that LvCK2 modulates shrimp hemocytes apoptosis as part of the innate immune response to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Feng
- Department of Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China; STU-UMT Joint Shellfish Research Laboratory, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Yueqian Huang
- Department of Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Defu Yao
- Department of Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China; STU-UMT Joint Shellfish Research Laboratory, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Chunhua Zhu
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Shengkang Li
- Department of Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China; STU-UMT Joint Shellfish Research Laboratory, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Hongyu Ma
- Department of Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China; STU-UMT Joint Shellfish Research Laboratory, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Jude Juventus Aweya
- Department of Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China; STU-UMT Joint Shellfish Research Laboratory, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China.
| | - Yueling Zhang
- Department of Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China; STU-UMT Joint Shellfish Research Laboratory, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China.
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Primon M, Hunter KD, Pandha HS, Morgan R. Kinase Regulation of HOX Transcription Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040508. [PMID: 30974835 PMCID: PMC6521248 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The HOX genes are a group of homeodomain-containing transcription factors that play important regulatory roles in early development, including the establishment of cell and tissue identity. HOX expression is generally reduced in adult cells but is frequently re-established as an early event in tumour formation and supports an oncogenic phenotype. HOX transcription factors are also involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair, along with normal adult physiological process including stem cell renewal. There have been extensive studies on the mechanism by which HOX proteins regulate transcription, with particular emphasis on their interaction with cofactors such as Pre-B-cell Leukaemia Homeobox (PBX) and Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 (MEIS). However, significantly less is known of how the activity of HOX proteins is regulated. There is growing evidence that phosphorylation may play an important role in this context, and in this review, we draw together a number of important studies published over the last 20 years, and discuss the relevance of phosphorylation in the regulation and function of HOX proteins in development, evolution, cell cycle regulation, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Primon
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK.
| | - Keith D Hunter
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
| | - Hardev S Pandha
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK.
| | - Richard Morgan
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK.
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30
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Preciado C, Vallejo Janeta P. Situation of Human Papilloma Virus: Generalities and current treatments. BIONATURA 2019. [DOI: 10.21931/rb/cs/2019.02.01.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus represents the commonest STD, and it is the principal causative agent of different genital lesions, including genital warts and cervical cancer. Two high-risk HPV genotypes are responsible for the 70% of cervical cancer, and the prevalence of these types reaches alarming levels in many developing countries (e.g., 43.58% in Ecuador). However, the information about HPV in developing countries is limited, becoming an obstacle for breakthrough treatments or prevention strategies. Current strategies include the development of new vaccines, combined chemo- and radiotherapy, and the use of CRISPR/Cas9. Moreover, HPV can be used to treat other non-related cancers, such as ovarian cancer. The present review aims to describe the different prevention strategies and treatments for HPV available worldwide, cover the usage of HPV for the treatment of other diseases, as well as comment on their possible application in Ecuador.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristhian Preciado
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, YachayTech, Urcuquí. Ecuador
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