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As key regulators of cell signaling, protein kinases (PKs) are attractive targets for therapeutic intervention in a variety of diseases. Herein, we report for the first time the inhibitory activity of polycyclic peptides, particularly, derivatives of glycopeptide antibiotics teicoplanin and eremomycin, against a panel of 12 recombinant human protein kinases and two protein kinases (CK1 and CK2) isolated from rat liver. Several of the investigated compounds inhibited various PKs with IC50 values below 10 μM and caused >90% suppression of the enzyme activity at 10 μM concentration. Kinetic analysis of the protein kinase CK2α inhibition by the teicoplanin aglycon analogue (7) demonstrated the non-competitive mechanism of inhibition (with regard to ATP). Interestingly, the inhibitory activity of some investigated compounds correlated with the earlier described antiviral activity against HIV, HCV, and other corona- and flaviviruses.

CK2 denotes a pleiotropic, constitutively active protein kinase whose abnormally high level in many cancer cells is held as an example of "non oncogene addiction". A wide spectrum of cell permeable, fairly specific ATP site-directed CK2 inhibitors are currently available which are proving useful to dissect its biological functions and which share the property of inducing apoptosis of cancer cells with no comparable effect on their "normal" counterparts. One of these, CX-4945, has recently entered clinical trials for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, Castelman's disease and multiple myeloma. The solution of a wide range of 3D structures of inhibitors bound to the catalytic subunits of CK2 reveals that their efficacy substantially relies on hydrophobic interactions within a cavity which is smaller than in other protein kinases. Accordingly the potency of tetra-halogenated benzimidazoles increases upon replacement of chlorine by bromine and, even more, by iodine, and decreases if two unique bulky side chains on CK2 (Val66 and Ile174) are mutated to alanines. Many CK2 inhibitors have been tested on a panel of more than 60 kinases providing Promiscuity Scores useful to evaluate their selectivity, the lowest value (9.47), denoting highest selectivity, being displayed by quinalizarin. The observation that CK2 inhibitors with medium/high promiscuity scores share the ability to inhibit a group of protein kinases as effectively as CK2 discloses the possibility of using their scaffolds for the rational development of selective inhibitors of these kinases, with special reference to PIMs, DYRKs, HIPK2, PKD and ERK8.

Research highlights ► Mouse PDX1 Ser-269 is phosphorylated in pancreatic islets of Langerhans and beta cells. ► High glucose concentration decreases the degree of phosphorylation on PDX1 Ser-269, as assessed by a phospho-specific anti-phospho-Ser269 antibody. ► HIPK2 is a potential kinase for PDX1 Ser-269. ► Phosphorylation at Ser-269 affects the subnuclear distribution of PDX1., Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) regulates pancreatic development and mature β-cell function. We demonstrate by mass spectrometry that serine residue at position 269 in the C-terminal domain of PDX1 is phosphorylated in β-cells. Besides we show that the degree of phosphorylation, assessed with a phospho-Ser-269-specific antibody, is decreased by elevated glucose concentrations in both MIN6 β-cells and primary mouse pancreatic islets. Homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) phosphorylates PDX1 in vitro; phosphate incorporation substantially decreases in PDX1 S269A mutant. Silencing of HIPK2 led to a 51 ± 0.2% decrease in Ser-269 phosphorylation in MIN6 β-cells. Mutation of Ser-269 to phosphomimetic residue glutamic acid (S269E) or de-phosphomimetic residue alanine (S269A) exerted no effect on PDX1 half-life. Instead, PDX1 S269E mutant displayed abnormal changes in subnuclear localization in response to high glucose. Our results suggest that HIPK2-mediated phosphorylation of PDX1 at Ser-269 might be a regulatory mechanism connecting signals generated by changes in extracellular glucose concentration to downstream effectors via changes in subnuclear localization of PDX1, thereby influencing islet cell differentiation and function.

A series of novel iodinated benzimidazoles have been prepared by iodination of respective benzimidazole with iodine and periodic acid in sulfuric acid solution. Additionally several 2-substituted- and N-1-carboxymethyl-substituted derivatives of 4,5,6,7-tetraiodobenzimidazole (TIBI) were obtained. For sake of comparison, some new 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzimidazoles were also synthesized. The ability of the new compounds to inhibit protein kinase CK2 has been evaluated. The results show that 4,5,6,7-tetraiodobenzimidazoles are more powerful inhibitors of CK2 than their tetrabrominated analogs. Molecular modeling supports the experimental data showing that tetraiodobenzimidazole moiety fills better the binding pocket than respective tetrabromo and tetrachlorocompounds. To note that 4,5,6,7-tetraiodobenzimidazole (TIBI) is one of the most efficient CK2 inhibitors (K(i)=23 nM) described to date.

CK2 is a ubiquitous and pleiotropic Ser/Thr-specific protein kinase that phosphorylates more than 300 protein substrates at sites specified by an acidic consensus sequence in which positions n + 3 and n + 1 are particularly important. Recognition of substrates by CK2 is known to rely on basic residues located in the catalytic site of the alpha subunit which make electrostatic contacts with the negative charges in the substrate consensus sequence, thereby assuring optimal binding; the regulatory beta subunit is believed to play a protective and stabilizing role. We describe a biochemical and structural analysis of CK2-mediated phosphorylation of a 22-mer synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal tail of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2beta. Results demonstrate that this peptide still displays phosphorylation features similar to full-length eIF2beta and the CK2 beta subunit also contributes to recognition of the protein substrate by establishing both polar and hydrophobic interactions with specificity determinants located downstream from the phosphoacceptor site. In particular, the N-terminal domain of the beta subunit appears to be of crucial importance for optimizing high-affinity phosphorylation of the eIF2beta peptide. This domain includes an acidic cluster whose electrostatic contacts with basic residues of the substrate attenuate intrasteric pseudosubstrate inhibition while strengthening substrate-kinase binding.

Deletion of F508 in the first nucleotide binding domain (NBD1) of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR) is the commonest cause of cystic fibrosis (CF). Functional interactions between CFTR and CK2, a highly pleiotropic protein kinase, have been recently described which are perturbed by the F508 deletion. Here we show that both NBD1 wild type and NBD1 DeltaF508 are phosphorylated in vitro by CK2 catalytic alpha-subunit but not by CK2 holoenzyme unless polylysine is added. MS analysis reveals that, in both NBD1 wild type and DeltaF508, the phosphorylated residues are S422 and S670, while phosphorylation of S511 could not be detected. Accordingly, peptides encompassing the 500-518 sequence of CFTR are not phosphorylated by CK2; rather they inhibit CK2alpha catalytic activity in a manner which is not competitive with respect to the specific CK2 peptide substrate. In contrast, 500-518 peptides promote the phosphorylation of NBD1 by CK2 holoenzyme overcoming inhibition by the beta-subunit. Such a stimulatory efficacy of the CFTR 500-518 peptide is dramatically enhanced by deletion of F508 and is abolished by deletion of the II507 doublet. Kinetics of NBD1 phosphorylation by CK2 holoenzyme, but not by CK2alpha, display a sigmoid shape denoting a positive cooperativity which is dramatically enhanced by the addition of the DeltaF508 CFTR peptide. SPR analysis shows that NBD1 DeltaF508 interacts more tightly than NBD1 wt with the alpha-subunit of CK2 and that CFTR peptides which are able to trigger NBD1 phosphorylation by CK2 holoenzyme also perturb the interaction between the alpha- and the beta-subunits of CK2.

Recombinant isolated beta-subunit of protein kinase CK2 is readily phosphorylated by p34cdc2/cyclin B kinase at Ser209 with favourable kinetic constants (Km = 1.7 microM, Vmax = 20 nmol.min-1.mg-1). Two synthetic peptides reproducing the 170-215 and the 206-215 C-terminal fragments of the beta-subunit are also phosphorylated though with tenfold higher Km values (19.5 and 28.0 microM, respectively). In contrast, both the beta-subunit associated with the alpha-subunit to give the heterotetrameric holoenzyme and the native CK2 are not appreciably phosphorylated by p34cdc2. These data suggest that the Ser209 beta-subunit phosphorylation observed in intact cells occurs prior to beta-subunit incorporation into the holoenzyme. The isolated CK2 alpha-subunit is not phosphorylated to any appreciable extent by p34cdc2 kinase. Its catalytic activity is nevertheless increased up to fivefold upon incubation with p34cdc2/cyclin B kinase complex. Such a stimulation of activity is comparable to that induced by the beta-subunit and it is paralleled by a 40% decrease of p34cdc2/cyclin B catalytic activity. Similar to beta-subunit, p34cdc2/cyclin B also protects the alpha-subunit against thermal inactivation. CK2 holoenzyme is also stimulated by p34cdc2/cyclin B, albeit less dramatically than the isolated alpha-subunit. Such an effect is also evident with CK2 holoenzyme reconstituted with a mutated beta-subunit lacking the p34cdc2 phosphorylation site and it is not accompanied by any appreciable phosphorylation of either the beta or the alpha-subunit. These data indicate that in vitro CK2 alpha-subunit interacts with and is activated by p34cdc2/cyclin B kinase by a mechanism that does not imply the phosphorylation of CK2.

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

Protein kinase CK1 denotes a family of pleiotropic serine/threonine protein kinases implicated in a variety of cellular functions. Typically, CK1 acts as a ‘phosphate-directed’ kinase whose targeting is primed by a single phosphorylated side chain at position n−3 or n−4 relative to serine/threonine, but increasing evidence is accumulating that CK1 can also engage some of its substrates at sites that do not conform to this canonical consensus. In the present paper, we show that CK1α phosphorylates with the same efficiency phosphopeptides primed by a phosphoserine residue at either n−3 [pS(−3)] or n−4 [pS(−4)] positions. The phosphorylation efficiency of the pS(−4) peptide, and to a lesser extent that of the pS(−3) peptide, is impaired by the triple mutation of the lysine residues in the K229KQK232 stretch to alanine residues, promoting 40-fold and 6-fold increases of Km respectively. In both cases, the individual mutation of Lys232 is as detrimental as the triple mutation. A kinetic alanine-scan analysis with a series of substituted peptide substrates in which the priming phosphoserine residue was effectively replaced by a cluster of four aspartate residues was also consistent with a crucial role of Lys232 in the recognition of the acidic determinant at position n−4. In sharp contrast, the phosphorylation of β-catenin and of a peptide including the non-canonical β-catenin site (Ser45) lacking acidic/phosphorylated determinants upstream is not significantly affected by mutations in the KKQK stretch. These data provide a molecular insight into the structural features that underlie the site specificity of CK1α and disclose the possibility of developing strategies for the preferential targeting of subsets of CK1 substrates.

International audience; Roscovitine (CYC202) is often referred to as a "selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases." Besides its use as a biological tool in cell cycle, neuronal functions, and apoptosis studies, it is currently evaluated as a potential drug to treat cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, viral infections, and glomerulonephritis. We have investigated the selectivity of (R)-roscovitine using three different methods: 1) testing on a wide panel of purified kinases that, along with previously published data, now reaches 151 kinases; 2) identifying roscovitine-binding proteins from various tissue and cell types following their affinity chromatography purification on immobilized roscovitine; 3) investigating the effects of roscovitine on cells deprived of one of its targets, CDK2. Altogether, the results show that (R)-roscovitine is rather selective for CDKs, in fact most kinases are not affected. However, it binds an unexpected, non-protein kinase target, pyridoxal kinase, the enzyme responsible for phosphorylation and activation of vitamin B 6. These results could help in interpreting the cellular actions of (R)-roscovitine but also in guiding the synthesis of more selective roscovitine analogs.

The β-subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2 is a substrate and a partner for protein kinase CK2. Surface plasmon resonance analysis shows that the truncated form corresponding to residues 138–333 of eIF2β (eIF2β-CT) interacts with CK2α as efficiently as full length eIF2β, whereas the form corresponding to residues 1–137, which contains the CK2 phosphorylation sites, (eIF2β-NT) does not bind. The use of different mutants and truncated forms of CK2α allowed us to map the basic segment K74–K83 at the beginning of helix αC and residues R191R195K198 in the p+1 loop as the main determinants for the binding to eIF2β-CT of either the isolated CK2α subunit or the CK2 holoenzyme. The presence of eIF2β-CT stimulated the activity of CK2α towards the RRRAADSDDDDD peptide substrate; effect that was not observed with the CK2α K74-77A whose ability to bind to eIF2β-CT is severely impaired. Gel filtration analysis confirmed the ability of CK2α to form complexes with eIF2β-CT, and the contribution of the basic cluster in CK2α (K74–K77) in this association.

IQA [[5-oxo-5,6-dihydro-indolo(1,2-a)quinazolin-7-yl]acetic acid] is a novel ATP/GTP site-directed inhibitor of CK2 ('casein kinase 2'), a pleiotropic and constitutively active protein kinase whose activity is abnormally high in transformed cells. The K (i) value of IQA (0.17 microM) is lower than those of other CK2 inhibitors reported so far. Tested at 10 microM concentration in the presence of 100 microM ATP, IQA almost suppresses CK2 activity in vitro, whereas it is ineffective or weakly effective on a panel of 44 protein kinases and on phosphoinositide 3-kinase. In comparison, other CK2 inhibitors, notably apigenin and quercetin, are more promiscuous. The in vivo efficacy of IQA has been assessed by using the fact that treatment of Jurkat cells with IQA inhibits endogenous CK2 in a dose-dependent manner. IQA has been co-crystallized with maize CK2alpha, which is >70% identical with its human homologue, and the structure of the complex has been determined at 1.68 A (1 A=0.1 nm) resolution. The inhibitor lies in the same plane occupied by the purine moiety of ATP with its more hydrophobic side facing the hinge region. Major contributions to the interaction are provided by hydrophobic forces and non-polar interactions involving the aromatic portion of the inhibitor and the hydrophobic residues surrounding the ATP-binding pocket, with special reference to the side chains of V53 (Val53), I66, M163 and I174. Consequently, mutants of human CK2alpha in which either V66 (the homologue of maize CK2alpha I66) or I174 is replaced by alanine are considerably less sensitive to IQA inhibition when compared with wild-type. These results provide new tools for deciphering the enigmatic role of CK2 in living cells and may pave the way for the development of drugs depending on CK2 activity.

A series of novel polyhalogenated benzimidazoles have been prepared by exhaustive bromination of a variety of 2-substituted benzimidazoles. The efficacy of both new compounds and a number of their previously described cognates as inhibitors of casein kinases CK1, CK2 and G-CK was investigated. The type of N-1 alkyl substituent as well as introduction of a polyfluoroalkyl moiety at position 2 did not markedly influence the inhibitory efficacy toward CK2 of the respective 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzimidazole derivatives which conversely were almost ineffective toward CK1 and G-CK. However, 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzimidazoles substituted at position 2 with either chlorine, bromine or sulfur atom, while manifesting a still considerable inhibitory activity against CK2 (IC 50 in the 0.49–0.93 μM range) proved to be potentially powerful inhibitors also against CK1 (IC 50 in the 18.4–2.2 μM range).

Protein kinase casein kinase 1 (CK1) phosphorylates Ser-45 of β-catenin, “priming” the subsequent phosphorylation by glycogen synthase-3 of residues 41, 37, and 33. This concerted phosphorylation of β-catenin signals its degradation and prevents its function in triggering cell division. The sequence around Ser-45 does not conform to the canonical consensus for CK1 substrates, which prescribes either phosphoamino acids or acidic residues in position n-3 from the target serine. However, the β-catenin sequence downstream from Ser-45 is very similar to a sequence recognized by CK1 in nuclear factor for activated T cells 4. The common features include an SLS motif followed two to five residues downstream by a cluster of acidic residues. Synthetic peptides reproducing residues 38-65 of β-catenin were assayed with purified rat liver CK1 or recombinant CK1α and CK1αL from zebrafish. The results demonstrate that SLS and acidic cluster motifs are crucial for CK1 recognition. Pro-44 and Pro-52 are also important for efficient phosphorylation. Similar results were obtained with the different isoforms of CK1. Phosphorylation of mutants of full-length recombinant β-catenin from zebrafish confirmed the importance of the SLS and acidic cluster motifs. A search for proteins with similar motifs yielded, among other proteins, adenomatous polyposis coli, previously found to be phosphorylated by CK1. There is a strong correlation of β-catenin mutations found in thyroid tumors with the motifs recognized by CK1 in this protein.

The phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the NF-AT family of transcription factors play a key role in the activation of T lymphocytes and in the control of the immune response. The mechanistic aspects of NF-AT4 phosphorylation by protein kinase CK1 have been studied in this work with the aid of a series of 27 peptides, reproducing with suitable modifications the regions of NF-AT4 that have been reported to be phosphorylated by this protein kinase. The largest parent peptide, representing the three regions A, Z, and L spanning amino acids 173-218, is readily phosphorylated by CK1 at seryl residues belonging to the A2 segment, none of which fulfill the canonical consensus sequence for CK1. An acidic cluster of amino acids in the linker region between domains A and Z is essential for high-efficiency phosphorylation of the A2 domain, as shown by the increase in Km caused by a deletion of the linker region or a substitution of the acidic residues with glycines. Individual substitutions with alanine of each of the five serines in the A2 domain (S-177, S-180, S-181, S-184, and S-186) reduce the phosphorylation rate, the most detrimental effect being caused by Ser177 substitution which results in a 10-fold drop in Vmax. On the contrary, the replacement of Ser177 with phosphoserine triggers a hierarchical effect with a dramatic improvement in phosphorylation efficiency, which no longer depends on the linker region for optimal efficiency. These data are consistent with a two-phase phosphorylation mechanism of NF-AT4 by CK1, initiated by the linker region which provides a functional docking site for CK1 and allows the unorthodox phosphorylation of Ser177; once achieved, this phosphoserine residue primes the phospho- rylation of other downstream seryl residues, according to a hierarchical mechanism typically exploited by CK1. The large number of protein kinases in eukaryotes, with over 800 genes found in the human genome (1), raises multiple questions as to the function and specificity of these important enzymes.

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

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

To assess the functional role of the four conserved cysteinyl residues in the regulatory beta-subunit of protein kinase CK2, the effect of pCMB and other reagents of sulfhydryl groups has been investigated. The pCMB-treated beta-subunit has lost its ability to form either homodimers or regular alpha(2)beta(2) heterotetramers with the catalytic subunit. It also fails to increase catalytic activity toward peptide substrates and to mediate the stimulatory effect of polylysine. The pCMB-treated beta-subunit, however, is still able to prevent calmodulin phosphorylation and to physically interact with the alpha-subunit to form inactive complexes whose sedimentation coefficient is lower than that of CK2 holoenzyme. These inactive complexes upon treatment with reducing agents like DTT are converted into a fully active heterotetrameric holoenzyme.

The occurrence of calreticulin, the main Ca2+ binding protein in the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells, was investigated in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard. The biochemical characterization of a diethylaminoethyl purified extract highlighted the presence, on SDS-PAGE, of a 55-kDa protein that stained blue with the Stains All dye, a diagnostic feature of acidic Ca2+ binding proteins. Immunoblot analyses revealed a strong cross-reaction of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii protein with antibodies to plant calreticulins and the endoplasmic reticulum retention signal HDEL. Furthermore, the 55-kDa protein bound [45Ca2+] and had an acidic isoelectric point (pI = 4.9) but was neither glycosylated nor phosphorylated. N-terminal sequencing revealed strong amino acid sequence similarity to calreticulin from other sources. The presence of calreticulin in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii suggested that an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ buffering mechanism was present in this unicellular chlorophyte. The data suggest an early origin and high conservation of endoplasmic-reticulum-mediated Ca2+ functions in eukaryotes, whereby specific posttranslational modifications of the proteinhave been specifically acquired in different lineages of photosynthetic eukaryotes. Moreover, northern and western blot analysis experiments showed a regulation of calreticulin expression during Chlamydomonas sexual reproduction with a high abundance of calreticulin mRNA and protein in reproductive cells.

Protein kinase casein kinase-2 (CK2) is a spontaneously active, ubiquitous, and pleiotropic enzyme that phosphorylates seryl/threonyl residues specified by multiple negatively charged side chains, the one at position n + 3 being of crucial importance (minimum consensus S/T-x-x-E/D/S(P)/T(P). Recently CK2 has been reported to catalyze phosphorylation of the yeast nucleolar immunophilin Fpr3 at a tyrosyl residue (Tyr184) fulfilling the consensus sequence of Ser/Thr substrates (Wilson, L.K., Dhillon, N., Thorner, J., and Martin, G.S. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 12961–12967). Here we show that, by contrast to other tyrosyl peptides fulfilling the consensus sequence for CK2, a peptide reproducing the sequence around Fpr3 Tyr184(DEDADIY184DEEDYDL) is phosphorylated by CK2, albeit with much higher K m (384 versus 4.3 μm) and lower V max (8.4versus 1,132 nmol·min−1·mg−1) than its derivative with Tyr184 replaced by serine. The replacement of Asp at position n + 1 with alanine and, to a lesser extent, of Ile at n − 1 with Asp are especially detrimental to tyrosine phosphorylation as compared with serine phosphorylation, which is actually stimulated by the Ile to Asp modification. In contrast the replacement of Glu at n + 3 with alanine almost suppresses serine phosphorylation but not tyrosine phosphorylation. It can be concluded that CK2 is capable to phosphorylate, under special circumstances, tyrosyl residues, which are specified by structural features partially different from those that optimize Ser/Thr phosphorylation.

A variety of synthetic peptides derived from either the inhibitor-2 (I-2) phosphoacceptor sites or the optimal sequences selected in an oriented peptide library have been compared for their susceptibility to phosphorylation by protein kinase CK1 (also termed casein kinase-1). The I-2-derived peptides are by far preferred over the library peptides by both rat liver CK1 (and by the α/β, γ and δ/e isoforms immunoprecipitated from it) and recombinant Xenopus laevis CK1α. The superiority of the I-2-derived peptides over the library ones is reflected by Vmax values one to two orders of magnitude higher while the Km values are comparable. Individual substitutions of any of the aspartic acids with alanine in the I-2-derived peptide RRKHAAIGDDDDAYSITA is detrimental, producing both a fall in Vmax and an increase in Km which are more pronounced at position n –3, but also quite significant at positions n –4, n –5 and, to a lesser extent, n –6. The unfavourable effect of these substitutions is more evident with rat liver CK1 than with recombinant Xenopus laevis CK1α. The chimeric peptide IGDDDDAY-S-IIIFFA, resulting from the combination of the N-terminal acidic sequence of the I-2 (Ser86) site and the C-terminal hydrophobic cluster selected in the library peptides (MAEFDTG-S-IIIFFAKKK and MAYYDAA-S-IIIFFAKKK) is phosphorylated as efficiently as the I-2-derived peptide in terms of both Km and Vmax. These combined data strongly support the conclusion that, at variance with the optimal sequences selected in the library, optimal non-phosphate-directed phosphorylation of peptide substrates by CK1 critically relies on the presence of a cluster of acidic residues (preferably aspartic acid) upstream from position n –2, while the highly hydrophobic region downstream from serine selected in the library appears to be dispensable. The reason for these discrepancies remains unclear. The possibility that the library data are biased by the invariant elements forming its scaffold (MA-x-x-x-x-x-SI-x-x-x-x-AKKK) would be consistent with the observation that the library-selected peptides, despite their low Km values, fail to compete against the phosphorylation of protein and peptide substrates by CK1, suggesting that they bind to elements partially distinct from those responsible for substrate recognition.

Synthetic peptides reproducing the amino and carboxyl terminal region of CK2beta subunit have been analyzed for their ability to mimic different properties of full length beta subunit. Peptide beta[1-77], containing both the autophosphorylation site and the down-regulatory domain 55-64, is readily phosphorylated by alpha subunit whose activity is concomitantly inhibited. Such inhibition is accompanied by a weak interaction detectable by BIAcore sensograms but not by far Western blots, and is not reversed by polylysine which conversely overcome inhibition of calmodulin phosphorylation by full length beta subunit. A strong interaction with alpha is observed with beta[155-215] but not with its shorter derivative beta[170-215] as judged from far Western blotting and sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation analysis. Both peptides, however, affect the regular interaction between alpha and beta subunits altering the autophosphorylation pattern and responsiveness to salt. beta[155-215], unlike beta[170-215] tends to aggregate more readily than full length beta subunit. This behaviour which is reminiscent of the homodimerization of full length beta subunit, would indicate that tight self-association of beta[155-215] crucially depends on residues in the 155-170 sequence. Failure of beta[1-77] fragment to mediate responsiveness to polybasic peptides and accentuated self-association propensity of beta[155-215] suggest that other structural elements between the sequences 1-77 and 155-215 are required in order to confer optimal functionality to the beta subunit.

HIV-1 Rev transactivator is readily phosphorylated at separate regions by protein kinase CK2 and MAP kinase. Protein kinase CK1 cannot replace CK2 as phosphorylating agent and cdc2 only slowly phosphorylates Rev at one of the two sites affected by MAP kinase. Mutational analysis shows that Ser-8 and, to a lesser extent, Ser-5 are phosphorylated by CK2. In contrast, a mutation (R14TV → EED) which suppresses Rev activity dramatically enhances Rev phosphorylation eitherin vitroby CK2 orin vivo,suggesting that phosphorylation by CK2 could play a role in Rev down-regulation.

Five mutants of protein kinase CK2 α subunit in which altogether 14 basic residues were singly to quadruply replaced by alanines (K74A,K75A,K76A,K77A; K79A, R80A,K83A; R191A,R195A,K198A; R228A; and R278A, K279A,R280A) have been purified to near homogeneity either as such or after addition of the recombinant β subunit. By this latter procedure five mutated tetrameric holoenzymes were obtained as judged from their subunit composition, sedimentation coefficient on sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation, and increased activity toward a specific peptide substrate as compared with the isolated α subunits. The kinetic constants and the phosphorylation efficiencies (Vmax/Km) of all the mutants with the parent peptide RRRADDSDDDDD and a series of derivatives, in which individual aspartic acids were replaced by alanines, have been determined. Three mutants, namely K74A,K75A,K76A,K77A; K79A,R80A, K83A; and R191A,R195A,K198A display dramatically lower phosphorylation efficiency and 8-50-fold higher Km values with the parent peptide, symptomatic of reduced attitude to bind the peptide substrate as compared with CK2 wild type. Such differences either disappear or are attenuated if the mutants R191A,R195A, K198A; K79A,R80A,K83A; and K74A,K75A,K76A,K77A are assayed with the peptides RRRADDSADDDD, RRRADDSDDADD, and RRRADDSDDDAA, respectively. In contrast, the phosphorylation efficiencies of the other substituted peptides decrease more markedly with these mutants than with CK2 wild type. These data show that one or more of the basic residues clustered in the 191-198, 79-83, and 74-77 sequences are implicated in the recognition of the acidic determinants at positions +1, +3, and +4/+5, respectively, and that if these residues are mutated, the relevance of the other acidic residues surrounding serine is increased. In contrast the other two mutants, namely R228A and R278A,K279A, R280A, display with all the peptides Vmax values higher than CK2 wild type, counterbalanced however by somewhat higher Kmvalues. It can be concluded from these data that all the five mutations performed are compatible with the reconstitution of tetrameric holoenzyme, but all of them influence the enzymatic efficiency of CK2 to different extents. Although the basic residues mutated in the 74-77, 79-83, and 191-198 sequences are clearly implicated in substrate recognition by interacting with acidic determinants at variable positions downstream from serine, the other basic residues seem to play a more elusive and/or indirect role in catalysis.

Calreticulin isolated from spinach leaves has been specifically phosphorylated in vitro by protein kinase CK2 while animal calreticulin from rabbit liver is not a substrate of this kinase under the same conditions. Phosphoserine is the only phosphoamino acid detected. High affinity binding (Km = 4.4 microM) and a nearly stoichiometric incorporation of phosphate was determined. Partially purified spinach calreticulin is phosphorylated at the same site(s) by a copurifying protein kinase sharing biochemical properties very similar if not identical to those of mammalian CK2. Other plant calreticulins isolated from Liriodendron tulipifera appear to be also phosphorylated by CK2.

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

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

Udgivelsesdato: 1995-Jan-5 Six mutants of protein kinase CK2 alpha subunit in which basic residues have been mutated into alanines were assayed for their capability to phosphorylate the peptide RRRADDSDDDDD. Two mutants (R228A and R278K279R280A) behaved more or less as alpha wild type and one (H160,166A) was nearly inactive, hampering the calculation of kinetic parameters. In contrast 3 mutants (K74-77A, K79R80K83A and R191,195K198A) phosphorylated the peptide with reduced efficiency accounted for by increased Km and decreased Vmax values. By using derivatives of the RRRADDSDDDDD peptide in which individual aspartyl residues were variably replaced by alanine(s) and two peptide substrates derived from I-2 (KYRIREQESSGEEDSDL and RRKDLHDDEEDEEMSETADGE) it was shown that mutations in the 191-198, 74-77 and 79-83 regions were the least detrimental whenever the acidic determinants were lacking at positions +1, +4/+5 and +3, respectively. These data support the conclusion that the basic residues present in the p+1 loop of CK2 alpha specifically recognize the acidic determinant adjacent to the C-terminal side of serine, while the specificity determinants located more down-stream are variably recognized by different residues of the unique basic cluster spanning between Lys74 and Lys83.

8-hydroxy-4-methyl-9-nitrobenzo(g)chromen-2-one (NBC) has been found to be a fairly potent ATP site-directed inhibitor of protein kinase CK2 (Ki = 0.22 μM). Here, we show that NBC also inhibits PIM kinases, especially PIM1 and PIM3, the latter as potently as CK2. Upon removal of the nitro group, to give 8-hydroxy-4-methyl-benzo(g)chromen-2-one (here referred to as "denitro NBC", dNBC), the inhibitory power toward CK2 is almost entirely lost (IC(50)30 μM) whereas that toward PIM1 and PIM3 is maintained; in addition, dNBC is a potent inhibitor of a number of other kinases that are weakly inhibited or unaffected by NBC, with special reference to DYRK1A whose IC(50) values with NBC and dNBC are 15 and 0.60 μM, respectively. Therefore, the observation that NBC, unlike dNBC, is a potent inducer of apoptosis is consistent with the notion that this effect is mediated by inhibition of endogenous CK2. The structural features underlying NBC selectivity have been revealed by inspecting its 3D structure in complex with the catalytic subunit of Z. mays CK2. The crucial role of the nitro group is exerted both through a direct electrostatic interaction with the side chain of Lys68 and, indirectly, by enhancing the acidic dissociation constant of the adjacent hydroxyl group which interacts with a conserved water molecule in the deepest part of the cavity. By contrast, the very same nitro group is deleterious for the binding to the active site of DYRK1A, as disclosed by molecular docking. This provides the rationale for preferential inhibition of DYRK1A by dNBC.

The available information about the specificity determinants of casein kinases-1 and -2 (CK1 and CK2) has been utilized to obtain two new peptide substrates optimally suited for the specific monitoring of these two pleiotropic enzymes. The best substrate developed for CK1 is the inhibitor-2 derived peptide RRKDLHDDEEDEAMSITA which is superior in every respect to all the non phosphorylated CK1 peptide substrates used so far. Its K m is 172 μM and the V max is 6-fold higher than that of casein. The dodecapeptide RRRADDSDDDDD, on the other hand, is totally refractory to CK1 while it is an excellent substrate for CK2, exhibiting, under basal conditions, a K m value of 19 μM and a V max higher than those obtained with all the routinely used substrates of CK2. Both the novel CK1 and CK2 peptide substrates are suited for the phosphocellulose paper assay.

Calsequestrin from different muscle tissues and species has been phosphorylated by casein kinase-1 and casein kinase-2, in the conditions previously reported by Cala and Jones (J. Biol. Chem. 266, 391-398, 1991). Results indicates that rabbit cardiac and skeletal calsequestrin and frog skeletal calsequestrin are phosphorylated by both casein kinase-1 and casein kinase-2, at variance with chicken skeletal calsequestrin which is a poor substrate for both enzymes. We also observed that chicken calsequestrin is able to inhibit phosphorylation of cardiac calsequestrin, as well as other specific substrates, when added together to the assay medium.

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a ubiquitous, highly pleiotropic and essential protein kinase whose abnormally high constitutive activity has been implicated in several human diseases. In the last decade, several ATP competitive inhibitors of CK2, characterized by an in vitro activity that ranges from micromolar to nanomolar, have been discovered. However, until now only one drug candidate has been entered in Phase I clinical trial as a potential anticancer drug. Why this constitutively active kinase is so undruggable? Can ATP competitive inhibitors be considered the most promising drug candidates for the near future? In this review, we would like to underline how targeting binding sites outside the conventional ATP-binding could represent a new promising strategy to inhibit CK2 activity and, consequently, bear a great potentiality in discovering new drug candidates.

5-(3-Chlorophenylamino)benzo[c][2,6]naphthyridine-8-carboxylic acid (CX-4945), the first clinical stage inhibitor of protein kinase CK2 for the treatment of cancer, is representative of a new class of CK2 inhibitors with K(i) values in the low nanomolar range and unprecedented selectivity versus other kinases. Here we present the crystal structure of the complexes of CX-4945 and two analogues (CX-5011 and CX-5279) with the catalytic subunit of human CK2. Consistent with their ATP-competitive mode of inhibition, all three compounds bind in the active site of CK2 (type I inhibitors). The tricyclic scaffold of the inhibitors superposes on the adenine of ATP, establishing multiple hydrophobic interactions with the binding cavity. The more extended scaffold, as compared to that of ATP, allows the carboxylic function, shared by all three ligands, to penetrate into the deepest part of the active site where it makes interactions with conserved water W1 and Lys-68, thus accounting for the crucial role of this negatively charged group in conferring high potency to this class of inhibitors. The presence of a pyrimidine in CX-5011 and in CX-5279 instead of a pyridine (as in CX-4945) ring is likely to account for the higher specificity of these compounds whose Gini coefficients, calculated by profiling them against panels of 102 and/or 235 kinases, are significantly higher than that of CX-4945 (0.735 and 0.755, respectively, vs 0.615), marking the highest selectivity ever reported for CK2 inhibitors.

Protein kinase CK2 is an extremely well-conserved pleiotropic protein kinase with a growing list of substrates, the majority of which are proteins implicated in signal transduction, gene expression, and transcription-related functions. Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous heterotetrameric serine/threonine protein kinase made up of two α or α' catalytic subunits and two β regulatory subunits. Moreover, protein kinase CK2 is defined as a "constitutively active" protein kinase in contrast to most other protein kinases characterized by the presence of distinct conformations associated with the active and inactive states. As previously demonstrated by in vitro mutation studies, CK2 activity is substantially regulated by the interaction between the N-terminal tail and the kinase domain. In fact, progressive deletions of the N-terminal tail show a decrease in the activity of the kinase. Even if the detrimental effects of Δ2-12 deletion can be partially reversed by the addition of a CK2β subunit, deletions Δ2-12 and Δ2-30 progressively decrease the basal activity of CK2. In particular, as experimentally demonstrated, the Δ2-12 N-terminal deletion affects both the K(M) value for ATP and for the substrate peptide, and the k(cat) value of CK2α. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out on wild-type (wt), Δ2-12 and Δ2-30 deletion mutants of CK2α in order to explore the role of the N-terminal tail on the conformational behavior of CK2. Furthermore, classical MD simulations were carried out to assess the anticipated impact of conformational changes in a novel set of CK2α mutant forms, such as the triple mutant Y206F-R10A-Y261F and the single mutant Y125F.

Cystic fibrosis mostly follows a single Phe508 deletion in CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator) (CFTRDeltaF508), thereby causing premature fragmentation of the nascent protein with concomitant alterations of diverse cellular functions. We show that CK2, the most pleiotropic protein kinase, undergoes allosteric control of its different cellular forms in the presence of short CFTR peptides encompassing the Phe508 deletion: these CFTRDeltaF508 peptides drastically inhibit the isolated catalytic subunit (alpha) of the kinase and yet up-regulate the holoenzyme, composed of two catalytic and two non-catalytic (beta) subunits. Remarkable agreement between in silico docking and our biochemical data point to different sites for the CFTRDeltaF508 peptide binding on isolated CK2alpha and on CK2beta assembled into the holoenzyme, suggesting that CK2 targeting may be perturbed in cells expressing CFTRDeltaF508; this could shed light on some pleiotropic aspects of cystic fibrosis disease.

Two series of synthetic peptides that reproduce the amino- and carboxyl-terminal segments of the β-subunit of casein kinase-2, including the sites phosphorylated by CK2 and cdc2 kinase, respectively, have been used as model substrates for these enzymes. The N-terminal peptide β(1–9), MSSSEEVSW, is readily phosphorylated by CK2 but not at all by cdc2. The opposite is true of the C-terminal peptide β(206–215), NFKSPVKTIR. whose Ser-4 is a good target for cdc2 while being unaffected by CK2. The individual substitutions of Pro-5 and Lys-7 in the latter peptide with Gly and Ala (or Glu), respectively, prevent its phosphorylation by cdc2, whereas the substitution of Lys-3 with Ala is well tolerated and the substitution of the target Ser with Thr actually improves phosphorylation. Thus the consensus sequence for cdc2 is shown to be X-S-P-X-K. Such a requirement of a basic residue at Position +3 is opposite to that of CK2 whose consensus sequence (S-X-X-E/D/Yp/Sp) includes an acidic residue at the same position. Moreover the motif Ser-Pro is detrimental for CK2, preventing the phosphorylation of otherwise suitable peptides. These observations would rule out the possibility that the site specificity of CK2 might overlap with that of cdc2 and possibly of other Pro-directed protein kinases.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae nitrogen permease reactivator Npr1 is a hyperphosphorylated protein that belongs to a family of Ser/Thr protein kinases dedicated to the regulation of plasma membrane transporters. Its activity is regulated by the Tor (target of rapamycin) signaling pathway. Inhibition of the Tor proteins by treating yeast cells with the immunosuppressant drug rapamycin promotes rapid dephosphorylation of Npr1. As an alternative to peptide arrays, the substrate requirement of Npr1 was probed with a peptide library that was generated by cleaving yeast cell extracts with CNBr, and after reverse-phase chromatography, the individual fractions were phosphorylated in vitro with recombinant Npr1. In this way, the ribosomal protein Rpl24a was found to be an excellent in vitro substrate for Npr1. Synthetic peptides tailored around the phosphorylation site of Rpl24a show that Npr1 is a Ser/Thr protein kinase with an absolute requirement for a basic residue at the P-3 position and a strong preference for basic P + 1 residues, whereas proline at P + 1 is strongly disfavored. The results obtained with synthetic peptides suggest a (K/R)-X-X-S-(K/R) consensus sequence for Npr1. The availability of a consensus sequence allows a targeted search for physiologically relevant Npr1 substrates involved in the regulation of yeast amino acid permeases.

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone) is a moderately potent and poorly selective inhibitor of protein kinase CK2, one of the most pleiotropic serine/threonine protein kinases, implicated in neoplasia and in other global diseases. By virtual screening of the MMS (Molecular Modeling Section) database, we have now identified quinalizarin (1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone) as an inhibitor of CK2 that is more potent and selective than emodin. CK2 inhibition by quinalizarin is competitive with respect to ATP, with a Ki value of approx. 50 nM. Tested at 1 μM concentration on a panel of 75 protein kinases, quinalizarin drastically inhibits only CK2, with a promiscuity score (11.1), which is the lowest ever reported so far for a CK2 inhibitor. Especially remarkable is the ability of quinalizarin to discriminate between CK2 and a number of kinases, notably DYRK1a (dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylated and -regulated kinase), PIM (provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukaemia virus) 1, 2 and 3, HIPK2 (homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2), MNK1 [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)-interacting kinase 1], ERK8 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 8) and PKD1 (protein kinase D 1), which conversely tend to be inhibited as drastically as CK2 by commercially available CK2 inhibitors. The determination of the crystal structure of a complex between quinalizarin and CK2α subunit highlights the relevance of polar interactions in stabilizing the binding, an unusual characteristic for a CK2 inhibitor, and disclose other structural features which may account for the narrow selectivity of this compound. Tested on Jurkat cells, quinalizarin proved able to inhibit endogenous CK2 and to induce apoptosis more efficiently than the commonly used CK2 inhibitors TBB (4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzotriazole) and DMAT (2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole).

The C-terminus of cryptochrome (CRY) regulates light responses in Drosophila. These include the light-dependent binding of Drosophila dCRY to the clock proteins PERIOD and TIMELESS in a yeast two-hybrid system, which we proved to be a convenient and reliable readout of the behavior of dCRY in vivo. In this study, we present a combination of in silico analysis and experimental validation in yeast, to identify novel functional motifs in the C-terminal region of dCRY. Our results suggest that linear motifs are present in this small region, which is a likely hotspot for molecular interactions.

Abnormally high constitutive activity of protein kinase CK2, levels of which are elevated in a variety of tumours, is suspected to underlie its pathogenic potential. The most widely employed CK2 inhibitor is 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB), which exhibits a comparable efficacy toward another kinase, DYRK1 a. Here we describe the development of a new class of CK2 inhibitors, conceptually derived from TBB, which have lost their potency toward DYRK1 a. In particular, tetrabromocinnamic acid (TBCA) inhibits CK2 five times more efficiently than TBB (IC50 values 0.11 and 0.56 microM, respectively), without having any comparable effect on DYRK1 a (IC50 24.5 microM) or on a panel of 28 protein kinases. The usefulness of TBCA for cellular studies has been validated by showing that it reduces the viability of Jurkat cells more efficiently than TBB through enhancement of apoptosis. Collectively taken, the reported data support the view that suitably derivatized tetrabromobenzene molecules may provide powerful reagents for dissecting the cellular functions of CK2 and counteracting its pathogenic potentials.

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a ubiquitous, essential, and highly pleiotropic protein kinase whose abnormally high constitutive activity is suspected to underlie its pathogenic potential in neoplasia and other diseases. Using a virtual screening approach, we have identified the ellagic acid, a naturally occurring tannic acid derivative, as a novel potent CK2 inhibitor. At present, ellagic acid represents the most potent known CK2 inhibitor (K(i) = 20 nM).

The acronym CK2 (derived from the misnomer ‘casein kinase’ 2) denotes one of the most pleiotropic members of the eukaryotic protein kinase superfamily, characterized by an acidic consensus sequence in which a carboxylic acid (or pre-phosphorylated) side chain at position n+3 relative to the target serine/threonine residue plays a crucial role. The latest repertoire of CK2 substrates includes approx. 300 proteins, but the analysis of available phosphopeptide databases from different sources suggests that CK2 alone may be responsible for the generation of a much larger proportion (10–20%) of the eukaryotic phosphoproteome. Although for the time being CK2 is not included among protein kinases whose inhibitors are in clinical practice or in advanced clinical trials, evidence is accumulating that elevated CK2 constitutive activity co-operates to induce a number of pathological conditions, including cancer, infectious diseases, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular pathologies. The development and usage of cell-permeant, selective inhibitors discloses a scenario whereby CK2 plays a global anti-apoptotic role, which under special circumstances may lead to untimely and pathogenic cell survival.

AurA (Aurora-A) is a ubiquitous protein kinase regulating entry into mitosis and shown to promote transformation upon overexpression. In order to gain information on the structural features determining its substrate specificity, we assayed human recombinant AurA on a variety of phosphoacceptor peptide substrates including a series of properly modified derivatives of the Kemptide (ALRRASLGAA). The data presented here show that AurA is a basophilic Ser/Thr protein kinase recognizing the consensus R/K/N-R-X-S/T-B, where B denotes any hydrophobic residue with the exception of Pro. We show that the presence of a Pro at position n+1 fully abrogates phosphorylation of the peptide substrate. Although the consensus for AurA is reminiscent of that of PKA (protein kinase A), it significantly differs from the latter for a much more stringent dependence on the hydrophobic residue at n+1 and for its tolerance of residues other than Arg at position n−3. Based on the finding that the peptide ALKRASLGAA is not a substrate of PKA while still providing a sensitive assay of AurA activity, we suggest that this peptide may be used for differential screening of the two kinases. We have further validated the AurA consensus by generating a peptide (APSSRRTT288LCGT) that comprises the main AurA autophosphorylation site and by showing that AurA phosphorylated this peptide exclusively at one site fulfilling its consensus (Thr288). Moreover, we show that AurA could autophosphorylate at Thr288 through an intermolecular mechanism of reaction and that, in vivo, PKA was not involved with Thr288 phosphorylation. The evidence obtained in the present study provides a rational tool for predicting AurA sites in potential substrates of physiological significance.

A number of quite specific and fairly potent inhibitors of protein kinase CK2, belonging to the classes of condensed polyphenolic compounds, tetrabromobenzimidazole/triazole derivatives and indoloquinazolines are available to date. The structural basis for their selectivity is provided by a hydrophobic pocket adjacent to the ATP/GTP binding site, which in CK2 is smaller than in the majority of other protein kinases due to the presence of a number of residues whose bulky side chains are generally replaced by smaller ones. Consequently a doubly substituted CK2 mutant V66A,I174A is much less sensitive than CK2 wild type to these classes of inhibitors. The most efficient inhibitors both in terms of potency and selectivity are 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzotriazole, TBB (Ki = 0.4 microM), the TBB derivative 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole, DMAT (Ki = 0.040 microM), the emodin related coumarinic compound 8-hydroxy-4-methyl-9-nitrobenzo[g]chromen-2-one, NBC (Ki = 0.22 microM) and the indoloquinazoline derivative ([5-oxo-5,6-dihydroindolo-(1,2a)quinazolin-7-yl]acetic acid), IQA (Ki = 0.17 microM). These inhibitors are cell permeable as judged from ability to block CK2 in living cells and they have been successfully employed, either alone or in combination with CK2 mutants refractory to inhibition, to dissect signaling pathways affected by CK2 and to identify the endogenous substrates of this pleitropic kinase. By blocking CK2 these inhibitors display a remarkable pro-apoptotic efficacy on a number of tumor derived cell lines, a property which can be exploited in perspective to develop antineoplastic drugs.

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a ubiquitous, essential, and highly pleiotropic protein kinase whose abnormally high constitutive activity is suspected to underlie its pathogenic potential in neoplasia and infective diseases. Thus, CK2 inhibitors designed to dissect the signaling pathways affected by this kinase, in perspective, may give rise to pharmacological tools. One of the most successful CK2 inhibitors is TBB (4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole). Here we show that its inhibitory properties can be markedly improved by generating adducts in which N(2) is replaced by a carbon atom bound to a variety of polar functions. The most efficient inhibitor is 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-2-(dimethylamino)benzimidazole (2c) followed by the methylsulfanyl (8), isopropylamino (2e), and amino (2a) congeners. All these compounds display K(i) values

ATP site-directed inhibitors that can target individual kinases are powerful tools for use in signal transduction research, all the more so in the case of a pleiotropic, constitutively active protein kinase such as CK2, which is not turned on in response to specific stimuli. By screening a library of more than 200 derivatives of natural polyphenolic compounds, we have identified 16 molecules which inhibit CK2 with IC(50) values ofor=1 microM. They belong to the classes of anthraquinones (six compounds), xanthenones (two compounds), fluorenones (one compound), and coumarins (seven compounds), and their inhibitory potency correlates with the presence of nitro, amino, or halogen substituents at specific positions. Three of the most potent inhibitors, MNX (1,8-dihydroxy-4-nitroxanthen-9-one), NBC (8-hydroxy-4-methyl-9-nitrobenzo[g]chromen-2-one), and DBC (3,8-dibromo-7-hydroxy-4-methylchromen-2-one), whose IC(50) values range between 0.13 and 0.36 microM, are quite specific toward CK2 within a panel of 33 protein kinases tested. Treatment of Jurkat cells with these compounds promotes inhibition of endogenous CK2 and induction of apoptosis. A correlation is observed between their efficacy as CK2 inhibitors (as judged from IC(50) values) and their capacity to induce cell death (DC(50) values). Mutations of the unique CK2alpha residues Val66 and/or Ile174 to alanine have a detrimental effect on inhibition by these compounds with 16-67-fold increases in IC(50) values. The combined usage of these reagents can be exploited to gain information about cellular functions mediated by CK2.

Protein kinase CK2 is a highly pleiotropic enzyme whose high constitutive activity is suspected to be instrumental to the enhancement of the tumour phenotype and to the propagation of infectious diseases. Here we describe a novel compound, 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole (DMAT), which is superior to the commonly used specific CK2 inhibitor 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) in several respects. DMAT displays the lowest Ki value ever reported for a CK2 inhibitor (40 nM); it is cell permeable and its efficacy on cultured cells, both in terms of endogenous CK2 inhibition and induction of apoptosis, is several fold higher than that of TBB. The selectivity of DMAT assayed on a panel of >30 protein kinases is comparable to that of TBB, with the additional advantage of being ineffective on protein kinase CK1 up to 200 μM. These properties make DMAT the first choice CK2 inhibitor for in vivo studies available to date.

Calmodulin is phosphorylated in vivo and in vitro by protein kinase CK2 in a manner that is unique among CK2 substrates for being inhibited by the regulatory beta-subunit of the kinase and dramatically enhanced by polybasic peptides. Using synthetic fragments of calmodulin variably encompassing the CK2 phosphorylation sites here we show that individual phosphorylation of Thr79, Ser81, Ser101, and Thr117 is critically influenced by the size and composition of the peptides and that the C-terminal domain of calmodulin is implicated both in down-regulation of calmodulin phosphorylation by the beta-subunit and in its abnormal responsiveness to polylysine. A far-Western blot analysis discloses polylysine-dependent interaction between calmodulin and the N-terminal domain of the beta-subunit. We also show that phosphorylation of Ser81 hampers subsequent phosphorylation of Thr79 and by itself promotes the unfolding of the central helix, whose flexibility is instrumental to the interaction with calmodulin-dependent enzymes. Collectively taken, our data are consistent with a multifaceted regulation of calmodulin phosphorylation through the concerted action of distinct CaM domains, the catalytic and regulatory subunits of CK2, and polycationic effectors mimicking in vivo the effect of polylysine.

eIF2 (eukaryotic translation-initiation factor 2) is a substrate and an interacting partner for CK2 (protein kinase CK2). Co-immuno-precipitation of CK2 with eIF2beta has now been observed in HeLa cells, overexpressing haemagglutinin-tagged human recombinant eIF2beta. A direct association between His6-tagged human recombinant forms of eIF2beta subunit and both the catalytic (CK2alpha) and the regulatory (CK2beta) subunits of CK2 has also been shown by using different techniques. Surface plasmon resonance analysis indicated a high affinity in the interaction between eIF2beta and CK2alpha, whereas the affinity for the association with CK2beta is much lower. Free CK2alpha is unable to phosphorylate eIF2beta, whereas up to 1.2 mol of phosphate/mol of eIF2beta was incorporated by the reconstituted CK2 holoenzyme. The N-terminal third part of eIF2beta is dispensable for binding to either CK2alpha or CK2beta, although it contains the phosphorylation sites for CK2. The remaining central/C-terminal part of eIF2beta is not phosphorylated by CK2, but is sufficient for binding to both CK2 subunits. The presence of eIF2beta inhibited CK2alpha activity on calmodulin and beta-casein, but it had a minor effect on that of the reconstituted CK2 holoenzyme. The truncated forms corresponding to the N-terminal or central/C-terminal regions of eIF2beta were much less inhibitory than the intact subunit. The results demonstrate that the ability to associate with CK2 subunits and to serve as a CK2 substrate are confined to different regions in eIF2beta and that it may act as an inhibitor on CK2alpha.