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Stokes ME, Vasciaveo A, Small JC, Zask A, Reznik E, Smith N, Wang Q, Daniels J, Forouhar F, Rajbhandari P, Califano A, Stockwell BR. Subtype-selective prenylated isoflavonoids disrupt regulatory drivers of MYCN-amplified cancers. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:805-819.e9. [PMID: 38061356 PMCID: PMC11031350 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.11.007] [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: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factors have proven difficult to target with small molecules because they lack pockets necessary for potent binding. Disruption of protein expression can suppress targets and enable therapeutic intervention. To this end, we developed a drug discovery workflow that incorporates cell-line-selective screening and high-throughput expression profiling followed by regulatory network analysis to identify compounds that suppress regulatory drivers of disease. Applying this approach to neuroblastoma (NBL), we screened bioactive molecules in cell lines representing its MYC-dependent (MYCNA) and mesenchymal (MES) subtypes to identify selective compounds, followed by PLATESeq profiling of treated cells. This revealed compounds that disrupt a sub-network of MYCNA-specific regulatory proteins, resulting in MYCN degradation in vivo. The top hit was isopomiferin, a prenylated isoflavonoid that inhibited casein kinase 2 (CK2) in cells. Isopomiferin and its structural analogs inhibited MYC and MYCN in NBL and lung cancer cells, highlighting the general MYC-inhibiting potential of this unique scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Stokes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Alessandro Vasciaveo
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jonnell Candice Small
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Arie Zask
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Eduard Reznik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Nailah Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jacob Daniels
- Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY 10032, USA
| | - Farhad Forouhar
- Proteomics and Macromolecular Crystallography Shared Resource (PMCSR), Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY 10032, USA
| | - Presha Rajbhandari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Brent R Stockwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA; Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10027, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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2
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Liu ZD, Shi YH, Xu QC, Zhao GY, Zhu YQ, Li FX, Ma MJ, Ye JY, Huang XT, Wang XY, Xu X, Wang JQ, Zhao W, Yin XY. CSNK2A1 confers gemcitabine resistance to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via inducing autophagy. Cancer Lett 2024; 585:216640. [PMID: 38290659 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216640] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Gemcitabine, a pivotal chemotherapeutic agent for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), frequently encounters drug resistance, posing a significant clinical challenge with implications for PDAC patient prognosis. In this study, employing an integrated approach involving bioinformatic analyses from multiple databases, we unveil CSNK2A1 as a key regulatory factor. The patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model further substantiates the critical role of CSNK2A1 in gemcitabine resistance within the context of PDAC. Additionally, targeted silencing of CSNK2A1 expression significantly enhances sensitivity of PDAC cells to gemcitabine treatment. Mechanistically, CSNK2A1's transcriptional regulation is mediated by H3K27 acetylation in PDAC. Moreover, we identify CSNK2A1 as a pivotal activator of autophagy, and enhanced autophagy drives gemcitabine resistance. Silmitasertib, an established CSNK2A1 inhibitor, can effectively inhibit autophagy. Notably, the combinatorial treatment of Silmitasertib with gemcitabine demonstrates remarkable efficacy in treating PDAC. In summary, our study reveals CSNK2A1 as a potent predictive factor for gemcitabine resistance in PDAC. Moreover, targeted CSNK2A1 inhibition by Silmitasertib represents a promising therapeutic strategy to restore gemcitabine sensitivity in PDAC, offering hope for improved clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-De Liu
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yin-Hao Shi
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Qiong-Cong Xu
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Guang-Yin Zhao
- Department of Animal Experiment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ying-Qin Zhu
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Fu-Xi Li
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ming-Jian Ma
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing-Yuan Ye
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xi-Tai Huang
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xi-Yu Wang
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jie-Qin Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Xiao-Yu Yin
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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3
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Boewe AS, Wemmert S, Kulas P, Schick B, Götz C, Wrublewsky S, Montenarh M, Menger MD, Laschke MW, Ampofo E. Inhibition of CK2 Reduces NG2 Expression in Juvenile Angiofibroma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050966. [PMID: 35625703 PMCID: PMC9138789 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050966] [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: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile angiofibroma (JA) is a rare fibrovascular neoplasm predominately found within the posterior nasal cavity of adolescent males. JA expresses the proteoglycan nerve–glial antigen (NG)2, which crucially determines the migratory capacity of distinct cancer cells. Moreover, it is known that the protein kinase CK2 regulates NG2 gene expression. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed whether the inhibition of CK2 suppresses NG2-dependent JA cell proliferation and migration. For this purpose, we assessed the expression of NG2 and CK2 in patient-derived JA tissue samples, as well as in patient-derived JA cell cultures by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR. The mitochondrial activity, proliferation and migratory capacity of the JA cells were determined by water-soluble tetrazolium (WST)-1, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and collagen sprouting assays. We found that NG2 and CK2 were expressed in both the JA tissue samples and cell cultures. The treatment of the JA cells with the two CK2 inhibitors, CX-4945 and SGC-CK2-1, significantly reduced NG2 gene and protein expression when compared to the vehicle-treated cells. In addition, the loss of CK2 activity suppressed the JA cell proliferation and migration. These findings indicate that the inhibition of CK2 may represent a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of NG2-expressing JA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne S. Boewe
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (A.S.B.); (S.W.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Silke Wemmert
- Department of Otolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (S.W.); (P.K.); (B.S.)
| | - Philipp Kulas
- Department of Otolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (S.W.); (P.K.); (B.S.)
| | - Bernhard Schick
- Department of Otolaryngology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (S.W.); (P.K.); (B.S.)
| | - Claudia Götz
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (C.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Selina Wrublewsky
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (A.S.B.); (S.W.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Mathias Montenarh
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (C.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Michael D. Menger
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (A.S.B.); (S.W.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Matthias W. Laschke
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (A.S.B.); (S.W.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Emmanuel Ampofo
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (A.S.B.); (S.W.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6841-16-26561; Fax: +49-6841-16-26553
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Rammohan M, Harris E, Bhansali RS, Zhao E, Li LS, Crispino JD. The chromosome 21 kinase DYRK1A: emerging roles in cancer biology and potential as a therapeutic target. Oncogene 2022; 41:2003-2011. [PMID: 35220406 PMCID: PMC8977259 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02245-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1 A (DYRK1A) is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the DYRK family of proteins, a subgroup of the evolutionarily conserved CMGC protein kinase superfamily. Due to its localization on chromosome 21, the biological significance of DYRK1A was initially characterized in the pathogenesis of Down syndrome (DS) and related neurodegenerative diseases. However, increasing evidence has demonstrated a prominent role in cancer through its ability to regulate biologic processes including cell cycle progression, DNA damage repair, transcription, ubiquitination, tyrosine kinase activity, and cancer stem cell maintenance. DYRK1A has been identified as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor in different models, underscoring the importance of cellular context in its function. Here, we review mechanistic contributions of DYRK1A to cancer biology and its role as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malini Rammohan
- Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ethan Harris
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Rahul S Bhansali
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emily Zhao
- Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Loretta S Li
- Molecular and Translational Cancer Biology Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - John D Crispino
- Division of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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Brear P, De Fusco C, Atkinson EL, Iegre J, Francis-Newton NJ, Venkitaraman AR, Hyvönen M, Spring DR. A fragment-based approach leading to the discovery of inhibitors of CK2α with a novel mechanism of action. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:1420-1426. [DOI: 10.1039/d2md00161f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of a novel CK2α inhibitor from a fragment-based screen with a proposed novel mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Brear
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA, Cambridge, UK
| | - Claudia De Fusco
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eleanor L. Atkinson
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jessica Iegre
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicola J. Francis-Newton
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Ashok R. Venkitaraman
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599 & DITL, IMCB, A*STAR, 8A Biomedical Grove, 138648, Singapore
| | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA, Cambridge, UK
| | - David R. Spring
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK
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6
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Targeting of Protein Kinase CK2 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Using the Clinical-Grade Synthetic-Peptide CIGB-300. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070766. [PMID: 34356831 PMCID: PMC8301452 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2 has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an advent that becomes particularly relevant since the treatment of this hematological neoplasia remains challenging. Here we explored for the first time the effect of the clinical-grade peptide-based CK2 inhibitor CIGB-300 on AML cells proliferation and viability. CIGB-300 internalization and subcellular distribution were also studied, and the role of B23/nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), a major target for the peptide in solid tumors, was addressed by knock-down in model cell lines. Finally, pull-down experiments and phosphoproteomic analysis were performed to study CIGB-interacting proteins and identify the array of CK2 substrates differentially modulated after treatment with the peptide. Importantly, CIGB-300 elicited a potent anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effect in AML cells, with more than 80% of peptide transduced cells within three minutes. Unlike solid tumor cells, NPM1 did not appear to be a major target for CIGB-300 in AML cells. However, in vivo pull-down experiments and phosphoproteomic analysis evidenced that CIGB-300 targeted the CK2α catalytic subunit, different ribosomal proteins, and inhibited the phosphorylation of a common CK2 substrates array among both AML backgrounds. Remarkably, our results not only provide cellular and molecular insights unveiling the complexity of the CIGB-300 anti-leukemic effect in AML cells but also reinforce the rationale behind the pharmacologic blockade of protein kinase CK2 for AML-targeted therapy.
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7
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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: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [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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Spinello Z, Fregnani A, Quotti Tubi L, Trentin L, Piazza F, Manni S. Targeting Protein Kinases in Blood Cancer: Focusing on CK1α and CK2. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073716. [PMID: 33918307 PMCID: PMC8038136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Disturbance of protein kinase activity may result in dramatic consequences that often lead to cancer development and progression. In tumors of blood origin, both tyrosine kinases and serine/threonine kinases are altered by different types of mutations, critically regulating cancer hallmarks. CK1α and CK2 are highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed and constitutively active pleiotropic kinases, which participate in multiple biological processes. The involvement of these kinases in solid and blood cancers is well documented. CK1α and CK2 are overactive in multiple myeloma, leukemias and lymphomas. Intriguingly, they are not required to the same degree for the viability of normal cells, corroborating the idea of “druggable” kinases. Different to other kinases, mutations on the gene encoding CK1α and CK2 are rare or not reported. Actually, these two kinases are outside the paradigm of oncogene addiction, since cancer cells’ dependency on these proteins resembles the phenomenon of “non-oncogene” addiction. In this review, we will summarize the general features of CK1α and CK2 and the most relevant oncogenic and stress-related signaling nodes, regulated by kinase phosphorylation, that may lead to tumor progression. Finally, we will report the current data, which support the positioning of these two kinases in the therapeutic scene of hematological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaira Spinello
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via N. Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (Z.S.); (A.F.); (L.Q.T.); (L.T.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Via G. Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Fregnani
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via N. Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (Z.S.); (A.F.); (L.Q.T.); (L.T.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Via G. Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Quotti Tubi
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via N. Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (Z.S.); (A.F.); (L.Q.T.); (L.T.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Via G. Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Livio Trentin
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via N. Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (Z.S.); (A.F.); (L.Q.T.); (L.T.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Via G. Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Piazza
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via N. Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (Z.S.); (A.F.); (L.Q.T.); (L.T.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Via G. Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-049-792-3263 (F.P. & S.M.); Fax: +39-049-792-3250 (F.P. & S.M.)
| | - Sabrina Manni
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via N. Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy; (Z.S.); (A.F.); (L.Q.T.); (L.T.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Via G. Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-049-792-3263 (F.P. & S.M.); Fax: +39-049-792-3250 (F.P. & S.M.)
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9
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Rosales M, Rodríguez-Ulloa A, Besada V, Ramón AC, Pérez GV, Ramos Y, Guirola O, González LJ, Zettl K, Wiśniewski JR, Perera Y, Perea SE. Phosphoproteomic Landscape of AML Cells Treated with the ATP-Competitive CK2 Inhibitor CX-4945. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020338. [PMID: 33562780 PMCID: PMC7915770 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Casein kinase 2 (CK2) regulates a plethora of proteins with pivotal roles in solid and hematological neoplasia. Particularly, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) CK2 has been pointed as an attractive therapeutic target and prognostic marker. Here, we explored the impact of CK2 inhibition over the phosphoproteome of two cell lines representing major AML subtypes. Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis was conducted to evaluate changes in phosphorylation levels after incubation with the ATP-competitive CK2 inhibitor CX-4945. Functional enrichment, network analysis, and database mining were performed to identify biological processes, signaling pathways, and CK2 substrates that are responsive to CX-4945. A total of 273 and 1310 phosphopeptides were found differentially modulated in HL-60 and OCI-AML3 cells, respectively. Despite regulated phosphopeptides belong to proteins involved in multiple biological processes and signaling pathways, most of these perturbations can be explain by direct CK2 inhibition rather than off-target effects. Furthermore, CK2 substrates regulated by CX-4945 are mainly related to mRNA processing, translation, DNA repair, and cell cycle. Overall, we evidenced that CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 impinge on mediators of signaling pathways and biological processes essential for primary AML cells survival and chemosensitivity, reinforcing the rationale behind the pharmacologic blockade of protein kinase CK2 for AML targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Rosales
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana (UH), Havana 10400, Cuba;
- Molecular Oncology Group, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Biomedical Research Division, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana 10600, Cuba; (A.C.R.); (G.V.P.)
| | - Arielis Rodríguez-Ulloa
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Proteomics Group, Department of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Division, CIGB, Havana 10600, Cuba; (A.R.-U.); (V.B.); (Y.R.); (L.J.G.)
| | - Vladimir Besada
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Proteomics Group, Department of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Division, CIGB, Havana 10600, Cuba; (A.R.-U.); (V.B.); (Y.R.); (L.J.G.)
| | - Ailyn C. Ramón
- Molecular Oncology Group, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Biomedical Research Division, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana 10600, Cuba; (A.C.R.); (G.V.P.)
| | - George V. Pérez
- Molecular Oncology Group, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Biomedical Research Division, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana 10600, Cuba; (A.C.R.); (G.V.P.)
| | - Yassel Ramos
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Proteomics Group, Department of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Division, CIGB, Havana 10600, Cuba; (A.R.-U.); (V.B.); (Y.R.); (L.J.G.)
| | - Osmany Guirola
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Division, CIGB, Havana 10600, Cuba;
| | - Luis J. González
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Proteomics Group, Department of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Division, CIGB, Havana 10600, Cuba; (A.R.-U.); (V.B.); (Y.R.); (L.J.G.)
| | - Katharina Zettl
- Biochemical Proteomics Group, Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Munich, Germany; (K.Z.); (J.R.W.)
| | - Jacek R. Wiśniewski
- Biochemical Proteomics Group, Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Munich, Germany; (K.Z.); (J.R.W.)
| | - Yasser Perera
- Molecular Oncology Group, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Biomedical Research Division, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana 10600, Cuba; (A.C.R.); (G.V.P.)
- China-Cuba Biotechnology Joint Innovation Center (CCBJIC), Yongzhou Zhong Gu Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Lengshuitan District, Yongzhou 425000, China
- Correspondence: (Y.P.); (S.E.P.)
| | - Silvio E. Perea
- Molecular Oncology Group, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Biomedical Research Division, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana 10600, Cuba; (A.C.R.); (G.V.P.)
- Correspondence: (Y.P.); (S.E.P.)
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Schnitzler A, Niefind K. Structural basis for the design of bisubstrate inhibitors of protein kinase CK2 provided by complex structures with the substrate-competitive inhibitor heparin. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 214:113223. [PMID: 33571828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The Ser/Thr kinase CK2, a member of the superfamily of eukaryotic protein kinases, has an acidophilic substrate profile with the substrate recognition sequence S/T-D/E-X-D/E, and it is inhibited by polyanionic substances like heparin. The latter, a highly sulphated glucosamino glycan composed mainly of repeating 2-O-sulpho-α-l-idopyranuronic acid/N,O6-disulpho-α-d-glucosamine disaccharide units, is the longest known substrate-competitive CK2 inhibitor. The structural basis of CK2's preference for anionic substrates and substrate-competitive inhibitors is only vaguely known which limits the value of the substrate-binding region for the structure-based development of CK2 bisubstrate inhibitors. Here, a tetragonal and a monoclinic co-crystal structure of CK2α, the catalytic subunit of CK2, with a decameric heparin fragment are described. In the tetragonal structure, the heparin molecule binds to the polybasic stretch at the beginning of CK2α's helix αC, whereas in the monoclinic structure it occupies the central substrate-recognition region around the P+1 loop. Together, the structures rationalize the inhibitory efficacy of heparin fragments as a function of chain length. The monoclinic CK2α/heparin structure, in which the heparin fragment is particularly well defined, is the first CK2 structure with an anionic inhibitor of considerable size at the central part of the substrate-recognition site. The bound heparin fragment is so close to the binding site of ATP-competitive inhibitors that it can guide the design of linkers and pave the way to efficient CK2 bisubstrate inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Schnitzler
- Universität zu Köln, Department für Chemie, Institut für Biochemie, Zülpicher Straße 47, D-50674 Köln, Germany
| | - Karsten Niefind
- Universität zu Köln, Department für Chemie, Institut für Biochemie, Zülpicher Straße 47, D-50674 Köln, Germany.
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Brear P, Ball D, Stott K, D'Arcy S, Hyvönen M. Proposed Allosteric Inhibitors Bind to the ATP Site of CK2α. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12786-12798. [PMID: 33119282 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
CK2α is a ubiquitous, well-studied kinase that is a target for small-molecule inhibition, for treatment of cancers. While many different classes of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-competitive inhibitors have been described for CK2α, they tend to suffer from significant off-target activity and new approaches are needed. A series of inhibitors of CK2α has recently been described as allosteric, acting at a previously unidentified binding site. Given the similarity of these inhibitors to known ATP-competitive inhibitors, we have investigated them further. In our thorough structural and biophysical analyses, we have found no evidence that these inhibitors bind to the proposed allosteric site. Rather, we report crystal structures, competitive isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and NMR, hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry, and chemoinformatic analyses that all point to these compounds binding in the ATP pocket. Comparisons of our results and experimental approach with the data presented in the original report suggest that the primary reason for the disparity is nonspecific inhibition by aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Brear
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Darby Ball
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Katherine Stott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Sheena D'Arcy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
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12
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Richter A, Sender S, Lenz A, Schwarz R, Hinz B, Knuebel G, Sekora A, Murua Escobar H, Junghanss C, Roolf C. Influence of Casein kinase II inhibitor CX-4945 on BCL6-mediated apoptotic signaling in B-ALL in vitro and in vivo. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:184. [PMID: 32131762 PMCID: PMC7057698 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-6650-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Casein kinase II (CK2) is involved in multiple tumor-relevant signaling pathways affecting proliferation and apoptosis. CK2 is frequently upregulated in acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and can be targeted by the ATP-competitive CK2 inhibitor CX-4945. While reduced proliferation of tumor entities including B-ALL after CX-4945 incubation has been shown in vitro and in vivo, the detailed way of action is unknown. Here, we investigated the influence on the PI3K/AKT and apoptosis cascades in vivo and in vitro for further clarification. Methods A B-ALL xenograft model in NSG mice was used to perform in vivo longitudinal bioluminescence imaging during six day CX-4945 treatment. CX-4945 serum levels were determined at various time points. Flow cytometry of bone marrow and spleen cells was performed to analyze CX-4945-induced effects on tumor cell proliferation and distribution in B-ALL engrafted mice. ALL cells were enriched and characterized by targeted RNA sequencing. In vitro, B-ALL cell lines SEM, RS4;11 and NALM-6 were incubated with CX-4945 and gene expression of apoptosis regulators BCL6 and BACH2 was determined. Results In B-ALL-engrafted mice, overall tumor cell proliferation and distribution was not significantly influenced by CK2 inhibition. CX-4945 was detectable in serum during therapy and serum levels declined rapidly after cessation of CX-4945. While overall proliferation was not affected, early bone marrow and spleen blast frequencies seemed reduced after CK2 inhibition. Gene expression analyses revealed reduced expression of anti-apoptotic oncogene BCL6 in bone marrow blasts of CX-4945-treated animals. Further, BCL6 protein expression decreased in B-ALL cell lines exposed to CX-4945 in vitro. Surprisingly, levels of BCL6 opponent and tumor suppressor BACH2 also declined after prolonged incubation. Simultaneously, increased phosphorylation of direct CK2 target and tumor initiator AKT was detected at respective time points, even in initially pAKT-negative cell line NALM-6. Conclusions The CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 has limited clinical effects in an in vivo B-ALL xenograft model when applied as a single drug over a six day period. However, gene expression in B-ALL cells was altered and suggested effects on apoptosis via downregulation of BCL6. Unexpectedly, the BCL6 opponent BACH2 was also reduced. Interactions and regulation loops have to be further evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Richter
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Sina Sender
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Annemarie Lenz
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Rico Schwarz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 70, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Burkhard Hinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 70, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Gudrun Knuebel
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anett Sekora
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Hugo Murua Escobar
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christian Junghanss
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Catrin Roolf
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
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D'Amore C, Borgo C, Sarno S, Salvi M. Role of CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 in anti-cancer combination therapy - potential clinical relevance. Cell Oncol 2020; 43:1003-1016. [PMID: 33052585 PMCID: PMC7717057 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-020-00566-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein kinase CK2 inhibition has long been considered as an attractive anti-cancer strategy based on the following considerations: CK2 is a pro-survival kinase, it is frequently over-expressed in human tumours and its over-expression correlates with a worse prognosis. Preclinical evidence strongly supports the feasibility of this target and, although dozens of CK2 inhibitors have been described in the literature so far, CX-4945 (silmitasertib) was the first that entered into clinical trials for the treatment of both human haematological and solid tumours. However, kinase inhibitor monotherapies turned out to be effective only in a limited number of malignancies, probably due to the multifaceted causes that underlie them, supporting the emerging view that multi-targeted approaches to treat human tumours could be more effective. CONCLUSIONS In this review, we will address combined anti-cancer therapeutic strategies described so far which involve the use of CX-4945. Data from preclinical studies clearly show the ability of CX-4945 to synergistically cooperate with different classes of anti-neoplastic agents, thereby contributing to an orchestrated anti-tumour action against multiple targets. Overall, these promising outcomes support the translation of CX-4945 combined therapies into clinical anti-cancer applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio D'Amore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Christian Borgo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefania Sarno
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mauro Salvi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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14
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Piazza F, Manni S, Arjomand A, Visentin A, Trentin L, Semenzato G. New responsibilities for aged kinases in B-lymphomas. Hematol Oncol 2019; 38:3-11. [PMID: 31782972 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The knowledge accumulated over the last decade on B-cell-derived non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) pathogenesis has led to the identification of several molecular abnormalities, opening new perspectives in the design of novel therapies. Indeed, drugs targeting specific biochemical pathways critical for B-NHL cell survival, proliferation, and fitness within the malignant microenvironment are now available to the clinician: the B-cell receptor signaling inhibitors of BTK, PI3Kδ, ζ, γ, and SYK or the pro-apoptotic BH3-mimetics are clear examples of it. Moreover, it is emerging that malignant B-cell growth is sustained not only by mutations in oncogenes/tumor suppressors but also by the "addiction" to nononcogene (ie, nonstructurally altered) molecules. In this regard, a consistent body of data has established that the Ser/Thr kinases CK1, CK2, and GSK3 are involved in malignant lymphocyte biology and act as pro-survival and signaling-boosting molecules, both in precursor and mature B-cell tumors. Currently, an experimental and clinical groundwork is available, upon which to design CK1-, CK2-, and GSK3-directed antilymphoma/leukemia therapies. In this review, we have examined the main features of CK1, CK2, and GSK3 kinases, summarized the data in B-NHL supporting them as suitable therapeutic targets, and proposed a perspective on potential future research development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Piazza
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Unit of Hematological Malignancies - Laboratory of Myeloma and Lymphoma Pathobiology, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research - Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (FABR-VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Sabrina Manni
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Unit of Hematological Malignancies - Laboratory of Myeloma and Lymphoma Pathobiology, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research - Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (FABR-VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Arash Arjomand
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Unit of Hematological Malignancies - Laboratory of Myeloma and Lymphoma Pathobiology, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research - Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (FABR-VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Visentin
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Unit of Hematological Malignancies - Laboratory of Myeloma and Lymphoma Pathobiology, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research - Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (FABR-VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Livio Trentin
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Unit of Hematological Malignancies - Laboratory of Myeloma and Lymphoma Pathobiology, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research - Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (FABR-VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Gianpietro Semenzato
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Unit of Hematological Malignancies - Laboratory of Myeloma and Lymphoma Pathobiology, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research - Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (FABR-VIMM), Padova, Italy
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Li Q, Zong Y, Li K, Jie X, Hong J, Zhou X, Wu B, Li Z, Zhang S, Wu G, Meng R. Involvement of endothelial CK2 in the radiation induced perivascular resistant niche (PVRN) and the induction of radioresistance for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Biol Res 2019; 52:22. [PMID: 30992075 PMCID: PMC6466699 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-019-0231-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a vital role in determining the outcomes of radiotherapy. As an important component of TME, vascular endothelial cells are involved in the perivascular resistance niche (PVRN), which is formed by inflammation or cytokine production induced by ionizing radiation (IR). Protein kinase CK2 is a constitutively active serine/threonine kinase which plays a vital role in cell proliferation and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the potential role of CK2 in PVRN after IR exposure. RESULT Specific CK2 inhibitors, Quinalizarin and CX-4945, were employed to effectively suppressed the kinase activity of CK2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without affecting their viability. Results showing that conditioned medium from IR-exposed HUVECs increased cell viability of A549 and H460 cells, and the pretreatment of CK2 inhibitors slowed down such increment. The secretion of IL-8 and IL-6 in HUVECs was induced after exposure with IR, but significantly inhibited by the addition of CK2 inhibitors. Furthermore, IR exposure elevated the nuclear phosphorylated factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 expression in HUVECs, which was a master factor regulating cytokine production. But when pretreated with CK2 inhibitors, such elevation was significantly suppressed. CONCLUSION This study indicated that protein kinase CK2 is involved in the key process of the IR induced perivascular resistant niche, namely cytokine production, by endothelial cells, which finally led to radioresistance of non-small cell lung cancer cells. Thus, the inhibition of CK2 may be a promising way to improve the outcomes of radiation in non-small cell lung cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwen Li
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yan Zong
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ke Li
- Pharmacy Department, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaohua Jie
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jiaxin Hong
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaoshu Zhou
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Bian Wu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Rui Meng
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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16
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Richter A, Roolf C, Hamed M, Gladbach YS, Sender S, Konkolefski C, Knübel G, Sekora A, Fuellen G, Vollmar B, Murua Escobar H, Junghanss C. Combined Casein Kinase II inhibition and epigenetic modulation in acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:202. [PMID: 30841886 PMCID: PMC6404304 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5411-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The tumor suppressor protein phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a key regulator of the PI3K/AKT pathway which is frequently altered in a variety of tumors including a subset of acute B-lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALL). While PTEN mutations and deletions are rare in B-ALL, promoter hypermethylation and posttranslational modifications are the main pathways of PTEN inactivation. Casein Kinase II (CK2) is often upregulated in B-ALL and phosphorylates both PTEN and DNA methyltransferase 3A, resulting in increased PI3K/AKT signaling and offering a potential mechanism for further regulation of tumor-related pathways. Methods Here, we evaluated the effects of CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 alone and in combination with hypomethylating agent decitabine on B-ALL proliferation and PI3K/AKT pathway activation. We further investigated if CX-4945 intensified decitabine-induced hypomethylation and identified aberrantly methylated biological processes after CK2 inhibition. In vivo tumor cell proliferation in cell line and patient derived xenografts was assessed by longitudinal full body bioluminescence imaging and peripheral blood flow cytometry of NSG mice. Results CX-4945 incubation resulted in CK2 inhibition and PI3K pathway downregulation thereby inducing apoptosis and anti-proliferative effects. CX-4945 further affected methylation patterns of tumor-related transcription factors and regulators of cellular metabolism. No overlap with decitabine-affected genes or processes was detected. Decitabine alone revealed only modest anti-proliferative effects on B-ALL cell lines, however, if combined with CX-4945 a synergistic inhibition was observed. In vivo assessment of CX-4945 in B-ALL cell line xenografts resulted in delayed proliferation of B-ALL cells. Combination with DEC further decelerated B-ALL expansion significantly and decreased infiltration in bone marrow and spleen. Effects in patient-derived xenografts all harboring a t(4;11) translocation were heterogeneous. Conclusions We herein demonstrate the anti-leukemic potential of CX-4945 in synergy with decitabine in vitro as well as in vivo identifying CK2 as a potentially targetable kinase in B-ALL. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5411-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Richter
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Catrin Roolf
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Mohamed Hamed
- Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 8, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Yvonne Saara Gladbach
- Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 8, 18057, Rostock, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Applied Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sina Sender
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christoph Konkolefski
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Gudrun Knübel
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anett Sekora
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Georg Fuellen
- Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 8, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Small Animal Imaging Core Facility, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Hugo Murua Escobar
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christian Junghanss
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
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FusionPathway: Prediction of pathways and therapeutic targets associated with gene fusions in cancer. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006266. [PMID: 30040819 PMCID: PMC6075785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous gene fusions have been uncovered across multiple cancer types. Although the ability to target several of these fusions has led to the development of some successful anti-cancer drugs, most of them are not druggable. Understanding the molecular pathways of a fusion is important in determining its function in oncogenesis and in developing therapeutic strategies for patients harboring the fusion. However, the molecular pathways have been elucidated for only a few fusions, in part because of the labor-intensive nature of the required functional assays. Therefore, we developed a domain-based network approach to infer the pathways of a fusion. Molecular interactions of a fusion are first predicted by using its protein domain composition, and its associated pathways are then inferred from these molecular interactions. We demonstrated the capabilities of this approach by primarily applying it to the well-studied BCR-ABL1 fusion. The approach was also applied to two undruggable fusions in sarcoma, EWS-FL1 and FUS-DDIT3. We successfully identified known genes and pathways associated with these fusions and satisfactorily validated these predictions using several benchmark sets. The predictions of EWS-FL1 and FUS-DDIT3 also correlate with results of high-throughput drug screening. To our best knowledge, this is the first approach for inferring pathways of fusions. We present a computational framework, FusionPathway, to infer the oncogenesis pathways of a fusion and help develop therapeutic strategies in these pathways for patients harboring the fusion. In this work, we successfully validated the capabilities of this approach through its application to the well-studied BCR-ABL1 fusion and two undruggable fusions in sarcoma, EWS-FL1 and FUS-DDIT3. Especially, the predictions of EWS-FL1 and FUS-DDIT3 correlate well with results of high-throughput drug screening in sarcoma cells. Therefore, FusionPathway can be an effective method to infer pathways and potential therapeutic targets that are associated with those undruggable fusions. Our results of BCR-ABL1 also suggest that FusionPathway may be able to help elucidate pathway-dependent mechanisms of resistances to those kinase fusion-targeting therapies and develop strategies to overcome the resistances. In addition, the developed R package of FusionPathways (https://github.com/perwu/FusionPathway/) can help people easily apply our approach to study other important fusions in cancer.
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18
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Russo M, Milito A, Spagnuolo C, Carbone V, Rosén A, Minasi P, Lauria F, Russo GL. CK2 and PI3K are direct molecular targets of quercetin in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Oncotarget 2018; 8:42571-42587. [PMID: 28489572 PMCID: PMC5522089 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the encouraging results of the innovative therapeutic treatments, complete remission is uncommon in patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which remains an essentially incurable disease. Recently, clinical trials based on BH3-mimetic drugs showed positive outcomes in subjects with poor prognostic features. However, resistance to treatments occurs in a significant number of patients. We previously reported that the multi-kinase inhibitor quercetin, a natural flavonol, restores sensitivity to ABT-737, a BH3-mimetic compound, in both leukemic cell lines and B-cells isolated from patients. To identify the molecular target of quercetin, we employed a new cell line, HG3, obtained by immortalization of B-cells from a chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patient at the later stage of disease. We confirmed that quercetin in association with ABT-737 synergistically enhances apoptosis in HG3 (combination index < 1 for all fractions affected). We also reported that the cellular uptake of quercetin is extremely rapid, with an intracellular concentration of about 38.5 ng/106 cells, after treatment with 25 μM for 5 min. We demonstrated that the activity of protein kinase CK2, which positively triggers PI3K/Akt pathway by inactivating PTEN phosphatase, is inhibited by quercetin immediately after its addition to HG3 cells (0–2 min). PI3K activity was also inhibited by quercetin within 60 min from the treatment. The combined inhibition of CK2 and PI3K kinase activities by quercetin restored ABT-737 sensitivity and increased lethality in human leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Russo
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, Avellino, Italy
| | - Alfonsina Milito
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, Avellino, Italy.,Current address: Stazione Zoologica "Anton Dohrn", Villa Comunale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Carmela Spagnuolo
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, Avellino, Italy
| | - Virginia Carbone
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, Avellino, Italy
| | - Anders Rosén
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Cell Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Paola Minasi
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, Avellino, Italy
| | - Fabio Lauria
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, Avellino, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Russo
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, Avellino, Italy
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Carrà G, Panuzzo C, Torti D, Parvis G, Crivellaro S, Familiari U, Volante M, Morena D, Lingua MF, Brancaccio M, Guerrasio A, Pandolfi PP, Saglio G, Taulli R, Morotti A. Therapeutic inhibition of USP7-PTEN network in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a strategy to overcome TP53 mutated/deleted clones. Oncotarget 2018; 8:35508-35522. [PMID: 28418900 PMCID: PMC5482594 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder with either indolent or aggressive clinical course. Current treatment regiments have significantly improved the overall outcomes even if higher risk subgroups - those harboring TP53 mutations or deletions of the short arm of chromosome 17 (del17p) - remain highly challenging. In the present work, we identified USP7, a known de-ubiquitinase with multiple roles in cellular homeostasis, as a potential therapeutic target in CLL. We demonstrated that in primary CLL samples and in CLL cell lines USP7 is: i) over-expressed through a mechanism involving miR-338-3p and miR-181b deregulation; ii) functionally activated by Casein Kinase 2 (CK2), an upstream interactor known to be deregulated in CLL; iii) effectively targeted by the USP7 inhibitor P5091. Treatment of primary CLL samples and cell lines with P5091 induces cell growth arrest and apoptosis, through the restoration of PTEN nuclear pool, both in TP53-wild type and -null environment. Importantly, PTEN acts as the main tumor suppressive mediator along the USP7-PTEN axis in a p53 dispensable manner. In conclusion, we propose USP7 as a new druggable target in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Carrà
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Cristina Panuzzo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Davide Torti
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy.,Division of Internal Medicine - Hematology, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Guido Parvis
- Division of Internal Medicine - Hematology, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy.,Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera, Mauriziano, Turin, Italy
| | - Sabrina Crivellaro
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | | | - Marco Volante
- Division of Pathology, San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Deborah Morena
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | | | - Mara Brancaccio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Angelo Guerrasio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Pandolfi
- Cancer Genetics Program, Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giuseppe Saglio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy.,Division of Internal Medicine - Hematology, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy.,Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera, Mauriziano, Turin, Italy
| | - Riccardo Taulli
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Morotti
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
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20
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Synergistic therapeutic effect of diethylstilbestrol and CX-4945 in human acute T-lymphocytic leukemia cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 98:357-363. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.12.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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21
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Rabalski AJ, Gyenis L, Litchfield DW. Molecular Pathways: Emergence of Protein Kinase CK2 (CSNK2) as a Potential Target to Inhibit Survival and DNA Damage Response and Repair Pathways in Cancer Cells. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 22:2840-7. [PMID: 27306791 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-1314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2 (designated CSNK2) is a constitutively active protein kinase with a vast repertoire of putative substrates that has been implicated in several human cancers, including cancer of the breast, lung, colon, and prostate, as well as hematologic malignancies. On the basis of these observations, CSNK2 has emerged as a candidate for targeted therapy, with two CSNK2 inhibitors in ongoing clinical trials. CX-4945 is a bioavailable small-molecule ATP-competitive inhibitor targeting its active site, and CIGB-300 is a cell-permeable cyclic peptide that prevents phosphorylation of the E7 protein of HPV16 by CSNK2. In preclinical models, either of these inhibitors exhibit antitumor efficacy. Furthermore, in combinations with chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin or gemcitabine, either CX-4945 or CIGB-300 promote synergistic induction of apoptosis. While CSNK2 is a regulatory participant in many processes related to cancer, its potential to modulate caspase action may be particularly pertinent to its emergence as a therapeutic target. Because the substrate recognition motifs for CSNK2 and caspases are remarkably similar, CSNK2 can block the cleavage of many caspase substrates through the phosphorylation of sites adjacent to cleavage sites. Phosphoproteomic strategies have also revealed previously underappreciated roles for CSNK2 in the phosphorylation of several key constituents of DNA damage and DNA repair pathways. Going forward, applications of proteomic strategies to interrogate responses to CSNK2 inhibitors are expected to reveal signatures for CSNK2 inhibition and molecular insights to guide new strategies to interfere with its potential to inhibit caspase action or enhance the susceptibility of cancer cells to DNA damage. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 2840-7. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Rabalski
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laszlo Gyenis
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David W Litchfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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22
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Manni S, Carrino M, Piazza F. Role of protein kinases CK1α and CK2 in multiple myeloma: regulation of pivotal survival and stress-managing pathways. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:157. [PMID: 28969692 PMCID: PMC5625791 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0529-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant tumor of transformed plasma cells. MM pathogenesis is a multistep process. This cancer can occur de novo (rarely) or it can develop from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (most of the cases). MM can be asymptomatic (smoldering myeloma) or clinically active. Malignant plasma cells exploit intrinsic and extrinsic bone marrow microenvironment-derived growth signals. Upregulation of stress-coping pathways is also instrumental to maintain MM cell growth. The phylogenetically related Ser/Thr kinases CSNK1A1 (CK1α) and CSNK2 (CK2) have recently gained a growing importance in hematologic malignancies arising both from precursors and from mature blood cells. In multiple myeloma, CK1α or CK2 sustain oncogenic cascades, such as the PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, and NF-κB, as well as propel stress-related signaling that help in coping with different noxae. Data also suggest that these kinases modulate the delivery of growth factors and cytokines from the bone marrow stroma. The “non-oncogene addiction” phenotype generated by the increased activity of CK1α and CK2 in multiple myeloma contributes to malignant plasma cell proliferation and survival and represents an Achilles’ heel for the activity of small ATP competitive CK1α or CK2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Manni
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy. .,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy.
| | - Marilena Carrino
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Piazza
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy. .,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy.
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23
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Buontempo F, McCubrey JA, Orsini E, Ruzzene M, Cappellini A, Lonetti A, Evangelisti C, Chiarini F, Evangelisti C, Barata JT, Martelli AM. Therapeutic targeting of CK2 in acute and chronic leukemias. Leukemia 2017; 32:1-10. [PMID: 28951560 PMCID: PMC5770594 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2017.301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
CK2 is a ubiquitously expressed, constitutively active Ser/Thr protein kinase, which is considered the most pleiotropic protein kinase in the human kinome. Such a pleiotropy explains the involvement of CK2 in many cellular events. However, its predominant roles are stimulation of cell growth and prevention of apoptosis. High levels of CK2 messenger RNA and protein are associated with CK2 pathological functions in human cancers. Over the last decade, basic and translational studies have provided evidence of CK2 as a pivotal molecule driving the growth of different blood malignancies. CK2 overexpression has been demonstrated in nearly all the types of hematological cancers, including acute and chronic leukemias, where CK2 is a key regulator of signaling networks critical for cell proliferation, survival and drug resistance. The findings that emerged from these studies suggest that CK2 could be a valuable therapeutic target in leukemias and supported the initiation of clinical trials using CK2 antagonists. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on the understanding of the signaling pathways involved in CK2 inhibition-mediated effects with a particular emphasis on the combinatorial use of CK2 inhibitors as novel therapeutic strategies for treating both acute and chronic leukemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Buontempo
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - J A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - E Orsini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Ruzzene
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - A Cappellini
- Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino, Cassino, Italy
| | - A Lonetti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Evangelisti
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy.,Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Chiarini
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy.,Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Evangelisti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - J T Barata
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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24
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Phosphoproteomics Reveals HMGA1, a CK2 Substrate, as a Drug-Resistant Target in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44021. [PMID: 28290473 PMCID: PMC5349541 DOI: 10.1038/srep44021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have demonstrated good efficacy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring EGFR mutations, most patients develop intrinsic and acquired resistance. We quantitatively profiled the phosphoproteome and proteome of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant NSCLC cells under gefitinib treatment. The construction of a dose-dependent responsive kinase-substrate network of 1548 phosphoproteins and 3834 proteins revealed CK2-centric modules as the dominant core network for the potential gefitinib resistance-associated proteins. CK2 knockdown decreased cell survival in gefitinib-resistant NSCLCs. Using motif analysis to identify the CK2 core sub-network, we verified that elevated phosphorylation level of a CK2 substrate, HMGA1 was a critical node contributing to EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC cell. Both HMGA1 knockdown or mutation of the CK2 phosphorylation site, S102, of HMGA1 reinforced the efficacy of gefitinib in resistant NSCLC cells through reactivation of the downstream signaling of EGFR. Our results delineate the TKI resistance-associated kinase-substrate network, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for overcoming TKI-induced resistance in NSCLC.
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25
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Rozovski U, Harris DM, Li P, Liu Z, Jain P, Veletic I, Ferrajoli A, Burger J, O'Brien S, Bose P, Thompson P, Jain N, Wierda W, Keating MJ, Estrov Z. Constitutive Phosphorylation of STAT3 by the CK2-BLNK-CD5 Complex. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:610-618. [PMID: 28130399 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-16-0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), STAT3 is constitutively phosphorylated on serine 727 and plays a role in the pathobiology of CLL. However, what induces constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 is currently unknown. Mass spectrometry was used to identify casein kinase 2 (CK2), a serine/threonine kinase that coimmunoprecipitated with serine phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3). Furthermore, activated CK2 incubated with recombinant STAT3 induced phosphorylation of STAT3 on serine 727. Although STAT3 and CK2 are present in normal B- and T cells, STAT3 is not constitutively phosphorylated in these cells. Further study found that CD5 and BLNK coexpressed in CLL, but not in normal B- or T cells, are required for STAT3 phosphorylation. To elucidate the relationship of CD5 and BLNK to CK2 and STAT3, STAT3 was immunoprecipitated from CLL cells, and CK2, CD5, and BLNK were detected in the immunoprecipitate. Conversely, STAT3, CD5, and BLNK were in the immunoprecipitate of CLL cells immunoprecipitated with CK2 antibodies. Furthermore, siRNA knockdown of CD5 or BLNK, or treatment with CD5-neutralizing antibodies significantly reduced the levels of serine pSTAT3 in CLL cells. Finally, confocal microscopy determined that CD5 is cell membrane bound, and fractionation studies revealed that the CK2/CD5/BLNK/STAT3 complex remains in the cytoplasm, whereas serine pSTAT3 is shuttled to the nucleus.Implications: These data show that the cellular proteins CK2, CD5, and BLNK are required for constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 in CLL. Whether this protein complex phosphorylates other proteins or inhibiting its activity would have clinical benefit in patients has yet to be determined. Mol Cancer Res; 15(5); 610-8. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Rozovski
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Division of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - David M Harris
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zhiming Liu
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Preetesh Jain
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ivo Veletic
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Alessandra Ferrajoli
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jan Burger
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Susan O'Brien
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Prithviraj Bose
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Philip Thompson
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nitin Jain
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - William Wierda
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael J Keating
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zeev Estrov
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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26
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Gordon MJ, Tardi P, Loriaux MM, Spurgeon SE, Traer E, Kovacsovics T, Mayer LD, Tyner JW. CPX-351 exhibits potent and direct ex vivo cytotoxicity against AML blasts with enhanced efficacy for cells harboring the FLT3-ITD mutation. Leuk Res 2016; 53:39-49. [PMID: 28013106 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Identify AML patients most likely to respond to CPX-351, a nano-scale liposome formulation containing cytarabine and daunorubicin co-encapsulated at a 5:1 molar ratio. METHODS We examined the ex vivo cytotoxic activity of CPX-351 against leukemic cells isolated from 53 AML patients and an additional 127 samples including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasms, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma. We assessed activity with respect to common molecular lesions and used flow cytometry to assess CPX-351 cellular uptake. RESULTS AML specimen sensitivity to CPX-351 was similar across conventional risk groups. FLT3-ITD cases were five-fold more sensitive to CPX-351. CPX-351 was active across other indications with nearly all cases exhibiting IC50 values markedly lower than reported 72-h plasma drug concentration in patients receiving CPX-351. The range and distribution of CPX-351 IC50 values were comparable for AML, CLL, and ALL, whereas MDS/MPN cases were less sensitive. CPX-351 uptake analysis revealed a correlation between uptake of CPX-351 and cytotoxic potency. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are consistent with clinical data, in which CPX-351 activity is retained in high-risk AML patients. Ex vivo analysis of cytotoxic potency may provide a means to identify specific AML subsets, such as FLT3-ITD, that benefit most from CPX-351 and warrant additional clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max J Gordon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Paul Tardi
- Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Suite 250 - 887 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5, Canada
| | - Marc M Loriaux
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Stephen E Spurgeon
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Elie Traer
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Tibor Kovacsovics
- Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Huntsman Cancer Hospital, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Lawrence D Mayer
- Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Suite 250 - 887 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5, Canada
| | - Jeffrey W Tyner
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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27
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Brear P, De Fusco C, Hadje Georgiou K, Francis-Newton NJ, Stubbs CJ, Sore HF, Venkitaraman AR, Abell C, Spring DR, Hyvönen M. Specific inhibition of CK2α from an anchor outside the active site. Chem Sci 2016; 7:6839-6845. [PMID: 28451126 PMCID: PMC5355960 DOI: 10.1039/c6sc02335e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of selective inhibitors of protein kinases is challenging because of the significant conservation of the ATP binding site. Here, we describe a new mechanism by which the protein kinase CK2α can be selectively inhibited using features outside the ATP site. We have identified a new binding site for small molecules on CK2α adjacent to the ATP site and behind the αD loop, termed the αD pocket. An elaborated fragment anchored in this site has been linked with a low affinity fragment binding in the ATP site, creating a novel and selective inhibitor (CAM4066) that binds CK2α with a Kd of 320 nM and shows significantly improved selectivity compared to other CK2α inhibitors. CAM4066 shows target engagement in several cell lines and similar potency to clinical trial candidate CX4945. Our data demonstrate that targeting a poorly conserved, cryptic pocket allows inhibition of CK2α via a novel mechanism, enabling the development of a new generation of selective CK2α inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Brear
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Cambridge , 80 Tennis Court Road , Cambridge CB2 1GA , UK .
| | - Claudia De Fusco
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge , CB2 1EW , UK
| | - Kathy Hadje Georgiou
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge , CB2 1EW , UK
| | - Nicola J Francis-Newton
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit , University of Cambridge , Hutchison/MRC Research Centre , Hills Road , Cambridge CB2 0XZ , UK
| | - Christopher J Stubbs
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Cambridge , 80 Tennis Court Road , Cambridge CB2 1GA , UK .
| | - Hannah F Sore
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge , CB2 1EW , UK
| | - Ashok R Venkitaraman
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit , University of Cambridge , Hutchison/MRC Research Centre , Hills Road , Cambridge CB2 0XZ , UK
| | - Chris Abell
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge , CB2 1EW , UK
| | - David R Spring
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge , CB2 1EW , UK
| | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Cambridge , 80 Tennis Court Road , Cambridge CB2 1GA , UK .
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28
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Ge Z, Guo X, Li J, Hartman M, Kawasawa YI, Dovat S, Song C. Clinical significance of high c-MYC and low MYCBP2 expression and their association with Ikaros dysfunction in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Oncotarget 2016; 6:42300-11. [PMID: 26517351 PMCID: PMC4747226 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased expression of c-MYC is observed in both Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and T- cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL). MYC binding protein 2 (MYCBP2) is a probable E3 ubiquitin ligase and its function in leukemia is unknown. IKZF1 deletion is associated with the development and poor outcome of ALL. Here, we observed significant high c-MYC expression and low MYCBP2 expression in adult ALL patients. Patients with high c-MYC expression and/or low MYCBP2 expression had higher WBC counts and a higher percentage of CD34+ or CD33+ cells, as well as splenomegaly, liver infiltration, higher BM blasts, and lower CR rate. Ikaros bound to the regulatory regions of c-MYC and MYCBP2, suppressed c-MYC and increased MYCBP2 expression in ALL cells. Expression of c-MYC mRNA was significantly higher in patients with IKZF1 deletion; conversely MYCBP2 mRNA expression was significantly lower in those patients. A CK2 inhibitor, which acts as an Ikaros activator, also suppressed c-MYC and increased MYCBP2 expression in an Ikaros (IKZF1) dependent manner in the ALL cells. In summary, our data indicated the correlation of high c-MYC expression, low MYCBP2 expression and high c-MYC plus low MYCBP2 expression with high-risk factors and proliferation markers in adult ALL patients. Our data also revealed an oncogenic role for an Ikaros/MYCBP2/c-MYC axis in adult ALL, providing a mechanism of target therapies that activate Ikaros in adult ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Ge
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Xing Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jianyong Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Melanie Hartman
- Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Yuka Imamura Kawasawa
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Institute for Personalized Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Sinisa Dovat
- Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Chunhua Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
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29
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Ampofo E, Widmaier D, Montenarh M, Menger MD, Laschke MW. Protein Kinase CK2 Regulates Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Interactions during Ischemia and Reperfusion in Striated Skin Muscle. Eur Surg Res 2016; 57:111-24. [PMID: 27287005 DOI: 10.1159/000446367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) causes tissue injury by inflammatory processes. This involves the upregulation of endothelial surface proteins by phospho-regulated signaling pathways, resulting in enhanced interactions of leukocytes with endothelial cells. Recently, we found that protein kinase CK2 is a crucial regulator of leukocyte-mediated inflammation. Therefore, in this study we investigated the involvement of CK2 in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions during I/R injury. METHODS We first analyzed the inhibitory action of (E)-3-(2,3,4,5-tetrabromophenyl)acrylic acid (TBCA) and CX-4945 on CK2 kinase activity and the viability of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC). To mimic I/R conditions in vitro, HDMEC were exposed to hypoxia and reoxygenation and the expression of adhesion molecules was analyzed by flow cytometry. Moreover, we analyzed in vivo the effect of CK2 inhibition on leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in the dorsal skinfold chamber model of I/R injury by means of repetitive intravital fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS We found that TBCA and CX-4945 suppressed the activity of CK2 in HDMEC without affecting cell viability. This was associated with a significant downregulation of E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 after in vitro hypoxia and reoxygenation. In vivo, CX-4945 treatment significantly decreased the numbers of adherent and transmigrated leukocytes in striated muscle tissue exposed to I/R. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that CK2 is involved in the regulation of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions during I/R by mediating the expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Ampofo
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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30
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Mandato E, Manni S, Zaffino F, Semenzato G, Piazza F. Targeting CK2-driven non-oncogene addiction in B-cell tumors. Oncogene 2016; 35:6045-6052. [PMID: 27041560 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Genetic mutations of oncogenes often underlie deranged cell growth and altered differentiation pathways leading to malignant transformation of B-lymphocytes. However, addiction to oncogenes is not the only drive to lymphoid tumor pathogenesis. Dependence on non-oncogenes, which act by propelling basic mechanisms of cell proliferation and survival, has also been recognized in the pathobiology of lymphoid leukemias, lymphomas and multiple myeloma. Among the growing number of molecules that may uphold non-oncogene addiction, a key place is increasingly being recognized to the serine-threonine kinase CK2. This enzyme is overexpressed and overactive in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, such as mantle cell, follicular, Burkitt's and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. In these tumors, CK2 may serve the activity of oncogenes, similar to BCR-ABL and c-MYC, control the activation of critical signaling cascades, such as NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB), STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and PTEN/PI3K/AKT (phosphatase and tensin homolog protein/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKR thymoma), and sustain multiple cellular stress-elicited pathways, such as the proteotoxic stress, unfolded protein and DNA-damage responses. CK2 has also been shown to have an essential role in tuning signals derived from the stromal tumor microenvironment. Not surprisingly, targeting CK2 in lymphoid tumor cell lines or mouse xenograft models can boost the cytotoxic effects of both conventional chemotherapeutics and novel agents, similar to heat-shock protein 90, proteasome and tyrosine kinases inhibitors. In this review, we summarize the evidence indicating how CK2 embodies most of the features of a cancer growth-promoting non-oncogene, focusing on lymphoid tumors. We further discuss the preclinical data of the use of small ATP-competitive CK2 inhibitors, which hold the promise to be additional options in novel drug combinations for the therapy of lymphoid and plasmacellular malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Mandato
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - S Manni
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - F Zaffino
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - G Semenzato
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - F Piazza
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Branch, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
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Nair KS, Cheson B. The role of idelalisib in the treatment of relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Ther Adv Hematol 2016; 7:69-84. [PMID: 27054023 PMCID: PMC4802506 DOI: 10.1177/2040620715625966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Idelalisib is a first in class, delta isoform specific, PI3-kinase inhibitor. Based on its high level of efficacy and acceptable safety profile, this oral drug has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a single agent for the treatment of relapsed or refractory small lymphocytic lymphoma, and follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and in combination with rituximab for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Adverse effects of particular concern include diarrhea, pneumonitis, and transient elevations of hepatic transaminase levels. Efforts to improve on the activity of this drug have included combinations with standard chemotherapy agents, such as bendamustine, and other targeted therapies, including checkpoint inhibitors. However, other combinations have been associated with life-threatening and fatal toxicities. Thus, the development of such regimens should be conducted carefully in the context of a clinical research study. Idelalisib has a vital role as second-line therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, especially for patients with high-risk disease and multiple comorbidities, and studies are exploring the use of this agent as front-line therapy to improve the outcome of patients with indolent B-cell malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kruti Sheth Nair
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Bruce Cheson
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
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Pizzi M, Piazza F, Agostinelli C, Fuligni F, Benvenuti P, Mandato E, Casellato A, Rugge M, Semenzato G, Pileri SA. Protein kinase CK2 is widely expressed in follicular, Burkitt and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas and propels malignant B-cell growth. Oncotarget 2016; 6:6544-52. [PMID: 25788269 PMCID: PMC4466633 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine-threonine kinase CK2 is highly expressed and pivotal for survival and proliferation in multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma. Here, we investigated the expression of α catalytic and β regulatory CK2 subunits by immunohistochemistry in 57 follicular (FL), 18 Burkitt (BL), 52 diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and in normal reactive follicles. In silico evaluation of available Gene Expression Profile (GEP) data sets from patients and Western blot (WB) analysis in NHL cell-lines were also performed. Moreover, the novel, clinical-grade, ATP-competitive CK2-inhibitor CX-4945 (Silmitasertib) was assayed on lymphoma cells. CK2 was detected in 98.4% of cases with a trend towards a stronger CK2α immunostain in BL compared to FL and DLBCL. No significant differences were observed between Germinal Center B (GCB) and non-GCB DLBCL types. GEP data and WB confirmed elevated CK2 mRNA and protein levels as well as active phosphorylation of specific targets in NHL cells. CX-4945 caused a dose-dependent growth-arresting effect on GCB, non-GCB DLBCL and BL cell-lines and it efficiently shut off phosphorylation of NF-κB RelA and CDC37 on CK2 target sites. Thus, CK2 is highly expressed and could represent a suitable therapeutic target in BL, FL and DLBCL NHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pizzi
- Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, DIMED University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Piazza
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, DIMED University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padua, Italy
| | - Claudio Agostinelli
- Department of Experimental, Hematopathology and Hematology Sections, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Fuligni
- Department of Experimental, Hematopathology and Hematology Sections, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pietro Benvenuti
- Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, DIMED University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elisa Mandato
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, DIMED University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Casellato
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, DIMED University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padua, Italy
| | - Massimo Rugge
- Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, DIMED University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gianpietro Semenzato
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology Branch, DIMED University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano A Pileri
- Department of Experimental, Hematopathology and Hematology Sections, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Protein Kinase CK2: A Targetable BCR-ABL Partner in Philadelphia Positive Leukemias. Adv Hematol 2015; 2015:612567. [PMID: 26843864 PMCID: PMC4710905 DOI: 10.1155/2015/612567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BCR-ABL-mediated leukemias, either Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) or Philadelphia positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), are the paradigm of targeted molecular therapy of cancer due to the impressive clinical responses obtained with BCR-ABL specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, BCR-ABL TKIs do not allow completely eradicating both CML and ALL. Furthermore, ALL therapy is associated with much worse responses to TKIs than those observed in CML. The identification of additional pathways that mediate BCR-ABL leukemogenesis is indeed mandatory to achieve synthetic lethality together with TKI. Here, we review the role of BCR-ABL/protein kinase CK2 interaction in BCR-ABL leukemias, with potentially relevant implications for therapy.
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Morotti A, Panuzzo C, Crivellaro S, Carrà G, Fava C, Guerrasio A, Pandolfi PP, Saglio G. BCR-ABL inactivates cytosolic PTEN through Casein Kinase II mediated tail phosphorylation. Cell Cycle 2015; 14:973-9. [PMID: 25608112 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1006970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressive function of PTEN is exerted within 2 different cellular compartments. In the cytosol-membrane, it negatively regulates PI3K-AKT pathway through the de-phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate (PIP3), therefore blocking one of the major signaling transduction pathways in tumorigenesis. In the nucleus, PTEN controls genomic stability and cellular proliferation through phosphatase independent mechanisms. Importantly, impairments in PTEN cellular compartmentalization, changes in protein levels and post-transductional modifications affect PTEN tumor suppressive functions. Targeting mechanisms that inactivate PTEN promotes apoptosis induction of cancer cells, without affecting normal cells, with appealing therapeutic implications. Recently, we have shown that BCR-ABL promotes PTEN nuclear exclusion by favoring HAUSP mediated PTEN de-ubiquitination in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Here, we show that nuclear exclusion of PTEN is associated with PTEN inactivation in the cytoplasm of CML cells. In particular, BCR-ABL promotes Casein Kinase II-mediated PTEN tail phosphorylation with consequent inhibition of the phosphatase activity toward PIP3. Targeting Casein Kinase II promotes PTEN reactivation with apoptosis induction. We therefore propose a novel BCR-ABL/CKII/PTEN pathway as a potential target to achieve synthetic lethality with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Morotti
- a Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences; San Luigi Hospital ; Orbassano - Turin University ; Turin , Italy
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The conventional term 'casein kinase' (CK) denotes three classes of kinases - CK1, CK2 and Golgi-CK (G-CK)/Fam20C (family with sequence similarity 20, member C) - sharing the ability to phoshorylate casein in vitro, but otherwise unrelated to each other. All CKs have been reported to be implicated in human diseases, and reviews individually dealing with the druggability of CK1 and CK2 are available. Our aim is to provide a comparative analysis of the three classes of CKs as therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED CK2 is the CK for which implication in neoplasia is best documented, with the survival of cancer cells often relying on its overexpression. An ample variety of cell-permeable CK2 inhibitors have been developed, with a couple of these now in clinical trials. Isoform-specific CK1 inhibitors that are expected to play a beneficial role in oncology and neurodegeneration have been also developed. In contrast, the pathogenic potential of G-CK/Fam20C is caused by its loss of function. Activators of Fam20C, notably sphingolipids and their analogs, may prove beneficial in this respect. EXPERT OPINION Optimization of CK2 and CK1 inhibitors will prove useful to develop new therapeutic strategies for treating cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, while the design of potent activators of G-CK/Fam20C will provide a new tool in the fields of bio-mineralization and hypophosphatemic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Cozza
- a 1 University of Padova, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Via Ugo Bassi 58B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo A Pinna
- a 1 University of Padova, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Via Ugo Bassi 58B, 35131 Padova, Italy .,b 2 University of Padova, Department of Biomedical Sciences and CNR Institute of Neurosciences , Padova, Italy ;
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36
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Ampofo E, Müller I, Dahmke IN, Eichler H, Montenarh M, Menger MD, Laschke MW. Role of protein kinase CK2 in the dynamic interaction of platelets, leukocytes and endothelial cells during thrombus formation. Thromb Res 2015; 136:996-1006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2015.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Ampofo E, Rudzitis-Auth J, Dahmke IN, Rössler OG, Thiel G, Montenarh M, Menger MD, Laschke MW. Inhibition of protein kinase CK2 suppresses tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced leukocyte–endothelial cell interaction. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2015; 1852:2123-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2015.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Chon HJ, Bae KJ, Lee Y, Kim J. The casein kinase 2 inhibitor, CX-4945, as an anti-cancer drug in treatment of human hematological malignancies. Front Pharmacol 2015; 6:70. [PMID: 25873900 PMCID: PMC4379896 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The casein kinase 2 (CK2) protein kinase is a pro-survival kinase and therapeutic target in treatment of various human cancers. CK2 overexpression has been demonstrated in hematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and multiple myeloma. CX-4945, also known as Silmitasertib, is an orally administered, highly specific, ATP-competitive inhibitor of CK2. CX-4945 induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis and is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for treatment of many cancer types. In the past 2 years, the focus on the therapeutic potential of CX-4945 has shifted from solid tumors to hematological malignancies. CX-4945 exerts anti-proliferative effects in hematological tumors by downregulating CK2 expression and suppressing activation of CK2-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Furthermore, combination of CX-4945 with other inhibitors yielded synergistic effects in cell death induction. These new findings demonstrate that CK2 overexpression contributes to blood cancer cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy. Combinatorial use of CX-4945 is a promising therapeutic tool for treatment of hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae J Chon
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Eulji University , Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kyoung J Bae
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Eulji University , Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yura Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Eulji University , Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jiyeon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Eulji University , Daejeon, South Korea
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Russo M, Spagnuolo C, Bilotto S, Tedesco I, Maiani G, Russo GL. Inhibition of protein kinase CK2 by quercetin enhances CD95-mediated apoptosis in a human thymus-derived T cell line. Food Res Int 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2014.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Abstract
The term 'casein kinase' has been widely used for decades to denote protein kinases sharing the ability to readily phosphorylate casein in vitro. These fall into three main classes: two of them, later renamed as protein kinases CK1 (casein kinase 1, also known as CKI) and CK2 (also known as CKII), are pleiotropic members of the kinome functionally unrelated to casein, whereas G-CK, or genuine casein kinase, responsible for the phosphorylation of casein in the Golgi apparatus of the lactating mammary gland, has only been identified recently with Fam20C [family with sequence similarity 20C; also known as DMP-4 (dentin matrix protein-4)], a member of the four-jointed family of atypical protein kinases, being responsible for the phosphorylation of many secreted proteins. In hindsight, therefore, the term 'casein kinase' is misleading in every instance; in the case of CK1 and CK2, it is because casein is not a physiological substrate, and in the case of G-CK/Fam20C/DMP-4, it is because casein is just one out of a plethora of its targets, and a rather marginal one at that. Strikingly, casein kinases altogether, albeit representing a minimal proportion of the whole kinome, appear to be responsible for the generation of up to 40-50% of non-redundant phosphosites currently retrieved in human phosphopeptides database. In the present review, a short historical explanation will be provided accounting for the usage of the same misnomer to denote three unrelated classes of protein kinases, together with an update of our current knowledge of these pleiotropic enzymes, sharing the same misnomer while playing very distinct biological roles.
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Idelalisib for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. ISRN ONCOLOGY 2014; 2014:931858. [PMID: 25093123 PMCID: PMC4003830 DOI: 10.1155/2014/931858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common leukemia in the United States. It is a slowly progressive disease, with an 82% five-year survival rate. The treatment strategies are highly individualized with patients in the early and stable stages typically not requiring treatment. However, those with progressive or clinically advanced disease will require treatment. Cytotoxic drugs, such as the alkylating agents, purine nucleoside antagonists, and immunotherapeutic agents, have been the mainstay of chemotherapeutic treatment in CLL. However, given the lack of therapeutic specificity, these medications (especially older ones) have limited tolerability due to side effects. In this paper, we will discuss the data on the use of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase inhibitor Idelalisib in the management of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The preclinical and clinical data thus far demonstrate that Idelalisib produces a dramatic and durable response in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and without causing significant toxicity. Moving forward, the ongoing clinical trials will help address the various questions currently being raised regarding the long-term application and safety of Idelalisib. With greater clinical experience following more widespread use of Idelalisib, we will be able to determine the optimal combination therapies in treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory patients, resulting in more individualized therapeutic strategies for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
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42
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Lolli G, Ranchio A, Battistutta R. Active form of the protein kinase CK2 α2β2 holoenzyme is a strong complex with symmetric architecture. ACS Chem Biol 2014; 9:366-71. [PMID: 24175891 DOI: 10.1021/cb400771y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CK2 is a protein kinase essential for cell viability whose activity is altered in several cancers. Its mechanisms of regulation differ from those common to other eukaryotic protein kinases and are not entirely established yet. Here we present crystal structures of the monomeric form of the α2β2 holoenzyme that allow refining a formerly proposed structural model for activity regulation by oligomerization. Previous crystal structures of the CK2 holoenzyme show an asymmetric arrangement of the two α catalytic subunits around the obligate β2 regulatory subunits. Asymmetric α2β2 tetramers are organized in trimeric rings that correspond to inactive forms of the enzyme. The new crystal structures presented here reveal the symmetric architecture of the isolated active tetramers. The dimension and the nature of the α/β interfaces configure the holoenzyme as a strong complex that does not spontaneously dissociate in solution, in accordance with the low dissociation constant (∼4 nM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziano Lolli
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute for Molecular Medicine (VIMM), via Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ranchio
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute for Molecular Medicine (VIMM), via Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Roberto Battistutta
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute for Molecular Medicine (VIMM), via Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
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Buontempo F, Orsini E, Martins LR, Antunes I, Lonetti A, Chiarini F, Tabellini G, Evangelisti C, Evangelisti C, Melchionda F, Pession A, Bertaina A, Locatelli F, McCubrey JA, Cappellini A, Barata JT, Martelli AM. Cytotoxic activity of the casein kinase 2 inhibitor CX-4945 against T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: targeting the unfolded protein response signaling. Leukemia 2013; 28:543-53. [PMID: 24253024 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Constitutively active casein kinase 2 (CK2) signaling is a common feature of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). CK2 phosphorylates PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) tumor suppressor, resulting in PTEN stabilization and functional inactivation. Downregulation of PTEN activity has an impact on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, which is of fundamental importance for T-ALL cell survival. These observations lend compelling weight to the application of CK2 inhibitors in the therapy of T-ALL. Here, we have analyzed the therapeutic potential of CX-4945-a novel, highly specific, orally available, ATP-competitive inhibitor of CK2α. We show that CX-4945 treatment induced apoptosis in T-ALL cell lines and patient T lymphoblasts. CX-4945 downregulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in leukemic cells. Notably, CX-4945 affected the unfolded protein response (UPR), as demonstrated by a significant decrease in the levels of the main UPR regulator GRP78/BIP, and led to apoptosis via upregulation of the ER stress/UPR cell death mediators IRE1α and CHOP. In vivo administration of CX-4945 to a subcutaneous xenotransplant model of human T-ALL significantly delayed tumor growth. Our findings indicate that modulation of the ER stress/UPR signaling through CK2 inhibition could be exploited for inducing apoptosis in T-ALL cells and that CX-4945 may be an efficient treatment for those T-ALLs displaying upregulation of CK2α/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Buontempo
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - E Orsini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - L R Martins
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - I Antunes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Lonetti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Chiarini
- 1] Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, Pavia, Italy [2] Muscoloskeletal Cell Biology Laboratory, IOR, Bologna, Italy
| | - G Tabellini
- Division of Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - C Evangelisti
- 1] Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, Pavia, Italy [2] Muscoloskeletal Cell Biology Laboratory, IOR, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Evangelisti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Melchionda
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit 'Lalla Seràgnoli', S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Pession
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit 'Lalla Seràgnoli', S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Bertaina
- Oncoematologia Pediatrica, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - F Locatelli
- Oncoematologia Pediatrica, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - J A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - A Cappellini
- Department of Human Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino, Cassino, Italy
| | - J T Barata
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A M Martelli
- 1] Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy [2] Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, Pavia, Italy [3] Muscoloskeletal Cell Biology Laboratory, IOR, Bologna, Italy
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