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A novel casein kinase 2 alpha-subunit regulates membrane protein traffic in the human hepatoma cell line HuH-7.

A previously isolated endocytic trafficking mutant (TRF1) isolated from HuH-7 cells is defective in the distribution of subpopulations of cell-surface receptors for asialoorosomucoid (asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR)), transferrin, and mannose-terminating glycoproteins. The pleiotropic phenotype of TRF1 also includes an increased sensitivity to Pseudomonas toxin and deficient assembly and function of gap junctions. HuH-7xTRF1 hybrids exhibited a normal subcellular distribution of ASGR, consistent with the TRF1 mutation being recessive. A cDNA expression library derived from HuH-7 mRNA was transfected into TRF1 cells, which were subsequently selected for resistance to Pseudomonas toxin. Sequence analysis of a recovered cDNA revealed a unique isoform of casein kinase 2 (CK2), CK2alpha". Western blot analysis of TRF1 proteins revealed a 60% reduction in total CK2alpha expression. Consistent with this finding, the hybrids HuH-7xHuH-7 and HuH-7xTRF1 expressed equivalent amounts of total CK2alpha. Immunoblots using antibodies against peptides unique to the previously described CK2 isoforms CK2alpha and CK2alpha' and the novel CK2alpha" isoform showed that, although TRF1 and parental HuH-7 cells expressed comparable amounts of CK2alpha and CK2alpha', the mutant did not express CK2alpha". Based on the genomic DNA sequence, RNA transcripts encoding CK2alpha" apparently originate from alternative splicing of a primary transcript. Protein overexpression following transfection of TRF1 cells with cDNAs encoding either CK2alpha or the newly cloned CK2alpha" restored the parental HuH-7 phenotype, including Pseudomonas toxin resistance, cell-surface ASGR binding activity, phosphorylation, and the assembly of gap junctions. This study suggests that HuH-7 cells express at least three CK2alpha isoforms and that the pleiotropic TRF1 phenotype is a consequence of a reduction in total CK2 expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Consecutive steps of phosphorylation affect conformation and DNA binding of the chironomus high mobility group A protein.

The high mobility group (HMG) proteins of the AT-hook family (HMGA) lie downstream in regulatory networks with protein kinase C, Cdc2 kinase, MAP kinase, and casein kinase 2 (CK2) as final effectors. In the cells of the midge Chironomus, almost all of the HMGA protein (cHMGA) is phosphorylated by CK2 at two adjacent sites. 40% of the protein population is additionally modified by MAP kinase. Using spectroscopic and protein footprinting techniques, we analyzed how individual and consecutive steps of phosphorylation change the conformation of an HMGA protein and affect its contacts with poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) and a fragment of the interferon-beta promoter. We demonstrate that phosphorylation of cHMGA by CK2 alters its conformation and modulates its DNA binding properties such that a subsequent phosphorylation by Cdc2 kinase changes the organization of the protein-DNA complex. In contrast, consecutive phosphorylation by MAP kinase, which results in a dramatic change in cHMGA conformation, has no direct effect on the complex. Because the phosphorylation of the HMGA proteins attenuates binding affinity and reduces the extent of contacts between the DNA and protein, it is likely that this process mirrors the dynamics and diversity of regulatory processes in chromatin.

Animals↗

FCP1 phosphorylation by casein kinase 2 enhances binding to TFIIF and RNA polymerase II carboxyl-terminal domain phosphatase activity.

Dephosphorylation of RNA polymerase II carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) is required to resume sequential transcription cycles. FCP1 (TFIIF-dependent CTD phosphatase 1) is the only known phosphatase targeting RNAP II CTD. Here we show that in Xenopus laevis cells, xFCP1 is a phosphoprotein. On the basis of biochemical fractionation and drug sensitivity, casein kinase 2 (CK2) is shown to be the major kinase involved in xFCP1 phosphorylation in X. laevis egg extracts. CK2 phosphorylates xFCP1 mainly at a cluster of serines centered on Ser(457). CK2-dependent phosphorylation enhances 4-fold the CTD phosphatase activity of FCP1 and its binding to the RAP74 subunit of general transcription factor TFIIF. These findings unravel a new mechanism regulating CTD phosphorylation and hence class II gene transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interferon-gamma stimulates the expression of the inducible cAMP early repressor in macrophages through the activation of casein kinase 2. A potentially novel pathway for interferon-gamma-mediated inhibition of gene transcription.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a pleiotropic cytokine that modulates the immune function, cell proliferation, apoptosis, macrophage activation, and numerous other cellular responses. These biological actions of IFN-gamma are characterized by both the activation and the inhibition of gene transcription. Unfortunately, in contrast to gene activation, the mechanisms through which the cytokine suppresses gene transcription remain largely unclear. We show here for the first time that exposure of macrophages to IFN-gamma leads to a dramatic induction in the expression of the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER), a potent inhibitor of gene transcription. In addition, a synergistic action of IFN-gamma and calcium in the activation of ICER expression was identified. The IFN-gamma-mediated activation of ICER expression was not blocked by H89, bisindoylmaleimide, SB202190, PD98059, W7, and AG490, which inhibit protein kinase A, protein kinase C, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and Janus kinase-2, respectively. In contrast, apigenin, a selective casein kinase 2 (CK2) inhibitor, was found to inhibit response. Consistent with this finding, IFN-gamma stimulated CK2 activity and the level of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein, which is known to induce ICER gene transcription, and this response was inhibited in the presence of apigenin. These studies, therefore, identify a previously uncharacterized pathway, involving the IFN-gamma-mediated stimulation of CK2 activity, activation of cAMP response element-binding protein, and increased production of ICER, which may then play an important role in the inhibition of macrophage gene transcription by this cytokine.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Pulmonary surfactant protein A augments the phagocytosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae by alveolar macrophages through a casein kinase 2-dependent increase of cell surface localization of scavenger receptor A.

Pulmonary surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D), members of the collectin family, play important roles in the innate immune system of the lung. Here, we show that SP-A but not SP-D augmented phagocytosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae by alveolar macrophages, independent of its binding to the bacteria. Analysis of the SP-A/SP-D chimeras, in which progressively longer carboxyl-terminal regions of SP-A were replaced with the corresponding SP-D regions, has revealed that the SP-D region Gly(346)-Phe(355) can be substituted for the SP-A region Leu(219)-Phe(228) without altering the SP-A activity of enhancing the phagocytosis and that the SP-A region Cys(204)-Cys(218) is required for the SP-A-mediated phagocytosis. Acetylated low density lipoprotein significantly reduced the SP-A-stimulated uptake of the bacteria. SP-A failed to enhance the phagocytosis of S. pneumoniae by alveolar macrophages derived from scavenger receptor A (SR-A)-deficient mice, demonstrating that SP-A augments SRA-mediated phagocytosis. Preincubation of macrophages with SP-A at 37 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C stimulated the phagocytosis. The SP-A-mediated enhanced phagocytosis was not inhibited by the presence of cycloheximide. SP-A increased cell surface localization of SR-A that was inhibitable by apigenin, a casein kinase 2 (CK2) inhibitor. SP-A-treated macrophages exhibited significantly greater binding of acetylated low density lipoprotein than nontreated cells. The SP-A-stimulated phagocytosis was also abolished by apigenin. In addition, SP-A stimulated CK2 activity. These results demonstrate that SP-A enhances the phagocytosis of S. pneumoniae by alveolar macrophages through a CK2-dependent increase of cell surface SR-A localization. This study reveals a novel mechanism of bacterial clearance by alveolar macrophages.

Acetylation↗

Casein kinase 2- and protein kinase A-regulated adenomatous polyposis coli and beta-catenin cellular localization is dependent on p38 MAPK.

Skin cancer is the most common form of malignancy in the world with epidemic proportions. Identifying the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the events leading to tumors is paramount to designing new and effective treatments that may aid in treating and/or preventing skin cancers. Herein we identify p38 MAPK, along with its positive modulator, Gadd45a, as important regulators of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor. APC normally functions to block beta-catenin from promoting cell proliferation and migration/invasion. Keratinocytes lacking proper p38 MAPK activation, either due to lack of Gadd45a or through the use of p38 MAPK-specific inhibitors, are unable to effectively transport APC into the nucleus. We also show that p38 MAPK is able to directly associate with and modulate both casein kinase 2 (CK2) and protein kinase A (PKA), which promote and block APC nuclear import, respectively. We demonstrate that p38 MAPK is able to not only enhance CK2 kinase activity but also suppress PKA kinase activity. Moreover, lack of normal p38 MAPK activity in either Gadd45a-null keratinocytes or in p38 MAPK inhibitor treated keratinocytes leads to decreased CK2 activity and increased PKA activity. In either case, disruption of APC nuclear import results in elevated levels of free cellular, and potentially oncogenic, beta-catenin. Numerous tumors, including skin cancers, are associated with high levels of beta-catenin, and our data indicate that p38 MAPK signaling, along with Gadd45a, may provide tumor suppressor-like functions in part by promoting APC nuclear localization and effective beta-catenin regulation.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Transcription factors ets1, NF-kappa B, and Sp1 are major determinants of the promoter activity of the human protein kinase CK2alpha gene.

CK2alpha is one of two isoforms of protein kinase CK2, a highly conserved, ubiquitous, and vital phosphotransferase whose expression is kept at constant cellular levels and whose dysregulated expression has been linked to malignant diseases. The upstream sequence of the gene coding for human CK2alpha (CSNK1A1, chromosomal location 20p13) has been examined for promoter location and transcription factor interactions using reporter gene assays (luciferase; HeLa cells), site-directed mutagenesis, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, super-shifts, UV cross-linking, Western blotting, and DNA affinity chromatography. Highest promoter activity has been found in a region comprising positions -9 to 46. Factors Sp1, Ets-1, and NF-kappaB have been identified as interaction partners and, by mutation of individual sites and simultaneous mutations of two or more sites, shown to cross-talk to each other. At least two of the factors (Sp1; NF-kappaB) were susceptible to phosphorylation by CK2 holoenzyme, a tetramer composed of two CK2alpha and two regulatory CK2beta proteins, but not by individual CK2alpha. Because the phosphorylation decreases promoter binding and repeated immunoprecipitation reveals presence of "free" CK2beta in cell extracts, it is tempting to speculate that the gene product CK2alpha might readily form CK2 holoenzyme and feed back onto gene transcription. The data represent the first promoter control analysis of a mammalian CK2alpha gene and provide a hypothesis of how the constant expression level of CK2alpha may be achieved.

Casein Kinase II↗

Methodological analysis of immunocytochemical screening for disseminated epithelial tumor cells in bone marrow.

The emerging clinical relevance of bone marrow micrometastasis has prompted several investigations, using a variety of immunocytochemical approaches. The present study was designed to evaluate some of the variables affecting the immunocytochemical detection of individual epithelial tumor cells in bone marrow. Using an alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase staining technique, we evaluated bone marrow aspirates from 358 patients with primary carcinomas of the breast (n = 150), lung (n = 66), prostate (n = 42), or colorectum (n = 100). Individual tumor cells in cytological preparations were detected with monoclonal antibody (MAb) CK2 to the epithelial cytokeratin component 18 (CK18), which has been validated in extensive clinical studies. In addition, the utility of the broad-spectrum MAb A45-B/B3 was explored in this study. The high specificity of MAbs CK2 and A45-B/B3 was supported by analysis of bone marrow from 75 noncarcinoma control patients and by double-marker analysis with MAbs to mesenchymal marker proteins (CD45 and vimentin). In contrast, MAbs E29 and HMFG1, directed to mucin-like epithelial membrane proteins, cross-reacted with hematopoietic cells in 26.7-42.7% of all samples tested. The majority of the 154 positive samples (43.0%) from cancer patients displayed less than 10 CK18-positive cells per 8 x 10(5) marrow cells analyzed. The detection rate, however, was affected by blood contamination of the aspirate, the number of aspirates analyzed, and the number of marrow cells screened per aspiration site. Comparative immunostaining of bone marrow specimens with MAbs CK2 and A45-B/B3 indicated that downregulation of CK18 in micrometastatic carcinoma cells occurs in about 50% of the 172 samples analyzed, regardless of the primary tumor origin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Activation of casein kinase II and inhibition of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 phosphatase by nerve growth factor/p75NTR inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3beta and stimulate axonal growth.

Axonal elongation and guidance are controlled by extracellular factors such as the neurotrophins. Indeed, nerve growth factor (NGF) seems to promote axon growth through binding to its p75NTR receptor and inactivating RhoA. Furthermore, the local inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta by NGF also favors microtubule polymerization and axon extension. Inactivation of GSK-3beta may be due to the NGF/TrkA-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase), which increases the levels of phosphatydilinositol 3-phosphate [PI3P]. However, we show here that NGF may inactivate GSK-3beta through an alternative mechanism. In cultured hippocampal neurons, the capacity of NGF to promote axon elongation is mostly mediated by p75NTR, and the activation of this pathway leads to the inactivation of GSK-3beta. However, the signaling pathway triggered by NGF/p75NTR acts through casein kinase II (CK2). NGF/p75NTR-activated CK2 phosphorylates the phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), thus rendering this phosphatase inactive. Like activation of the PI-3 kinase, PTEN inactivation allows PI3P levels to increase, thus favoring GSK-3beta inactivation and axon outgrowth. This newly disclosed mechanism may help to extend the repertoire of pharmacological agents that activate CK2 or that inhibit PTEN to stimulate axon regeneration after trauma or disease.

Animals↗

The proteasome-dependent degradation of CKB4 is regulated by the Arabidopsis biological clock.

Most organisms have evolved an internal timing mechanism, the circadian clock, that is able to generate and maintain 24 h rhythmic oscillation in molecular, biochemical and metabolic activities. In Arabidopsis, the clock-dependent synchronization of physiology with the environment is essential for successful growth and development. The mechanisms of the Arabidopsis clockwork have been described as transcriptional feedback loops at the core of the oscillator. However, an increasing body of evidence points towards a key role of post-translational regulation of clock components as an essential mechanism of circadian function. Here, we identify CKB4, a CK2 regulatory subunit, as a component of the Arabidopsis circadian system. We demonstrate that the nuclear-localized CKB4 protein exists in vivo as different isoforms, resulting from phosphorylation on serine residues. Our findings show that the phosphorylated isoforms are the preferred substrate for ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome pathway. We provide evidence of the involvement of the biological clock in the circadian regulation of CKB4 protein abundance, which itself is important for an accurate control of circadian period by the clock. Overexpression of CKB4 results in elevated CK2 overall activity and period-shortening of clock-controlled genes peaking at different phase angles. Restriction of CKB4 protein phosphorylation and/or degradation to specific phases within the circadian cycle might provide the cell with a fine-tuning mechanism to selectively regulate the CK2 phosphorylation activity on specific substrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cilostazol prevents focal cerebral ischemic injury by enhancing casein kinase 2 phosphorylation and suppression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10 phosphorylation in rats.

This study shows the in vivo neuroprotective effect of cilostazol against cerebral ischemic injury evoked by subjecting rats to 2-h occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCAO) followed by 24-h reperfusion. We observed the signaling pathway by which cilostazol suppressed MCAO-induced increased phosphorylation of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10 (PTEN) and apoptosis via increased phosphorylation of casein kinase 2 (CK2). When rats received 30 mg/kg cilostazol orally two times at 5 min and 4 h after the completion of ischemia, the infarct area was significantly reduced in the cortex and striatum with improvement of neurological deterioration. Increased DNA fragmentation in the penumbral zone was significantly reduced by cilostazol. Cilostazol significantly elevated phosphorylation levels of CK2, Akt, and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in association with increased Bcl-2 in the ischemic area, whereas the elevated PTEN phosphorylation was significantly reduced, all of which were antagonized by iberiotoxin, a maxi-K channel blocker, administered intracisternally 30 min before ischemia. In conclusion, cilostazol ameliorates the neuronal damage by suppression of apoptotic cell death via the maxi-K channel opening-coupled up-regulation of CK2 phosphorylation and down-regulation of PTEN phosphorylation with resultant increase in the Akt and CREB phosphorylation and increased Bcl-2 protein.

Animals↗

Ceramide/long-chain base phosphate rheostat in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: regulation of ceramide synthesis by Elo3p and Cka2p.

Sphingolipid precursors, namely, ceramide and long-chain base phosphates (LCBPs), are important growth regulators with often opposite effects on mammalian cells. A set of enzymes that regulate the levels of these precursors, referred to as a ceramide/LCBP rheostat, is conserved in all eukaryotes. In order to gain further insight into the function of the rheostat in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we searched for mutants that are synthetically lethal with a deletion of the LCB3 gene encoding LCBP phosphatase. In addition to acquiring expected mutants lacking the LCBP lyase, the screen revealed elo3 (sur4) mutants that were defective in fatty acid elongation and cka2 mutants lacking the alpha' subunit of the protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase). Both mutations affected the in vivo activity of the acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA)-dependent and fumonisin B(1)-sensitive ceramide synthase (CS). The Elo3 protein is necessary for synthesis of C(26)-CoA, which in wild-type yeast is a source of C(26) fatty acyls found in the ceramide moieties of all sphingolipids. In the in vitro assay, CS had a strong preference for acyl-CoAs containing longer acyl chains. This finding suggests that a block in the formation of C(26)-CoA in yeast may cause a reduction in the conversion of LCBs into ceramides and lead to an overaccumulation of LCBPs that is lethal in strains lacking the Lcb3 phosphatase. In fact, elo3 mutants were found to accumulate high levels of LCBs and LCBPs. The cka2 mutants, on the other hand, exhibited only 25 to 30% of the in vitro CS activity found in wild-type membranes, indicating that the alpha' subunit of CK2 kinase is necessary for full activation of CS. The cka2 mutants also accumulated high levels of LCBs and had elevated levels of LCBPs. In addition, both the elo3 and cka2 mutants showed increased sensitivity to the CS inhibitors australifungin and fumonisin B(1). Together, our data demonstrate that the levels of LCBPs in yeast are regulated by the rate of ceramide synthesis, which depends on CK2 kinase activity and is also strongly affected by the supply of C(26)-CoA. This is the first evidence indicating the involvement of protein kinase in the regulation of de novo sphingolipid synthesis in any organism.

Acetyltransferases↗

Interaction between herpes simplex virus type 1 IE63 protein and cellular protein p32.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate-early gene IE63 (ICP27), the only HSV-1 regulatory gene with a homologue in every mammalian and avian herpesvirus sequenced so far, is a multifunctional protein which regulates transcriptional and posttranscriptional processes. One of its posttranscriptional effects is the inhibition of splicing of viral and cellular transcripts. We previously identified heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) K and casein kinase 2 (CK2) as two protein partners of IE63 (H. Bryant et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274:28991-28998, 1999). Here, using a yeast two-hybrid assay, we identify another partner of IE63, the cellular protein p32. Confirmation of this interaction was provided by coimmunoprecipitation from virus-infected cells and recombinant p32 binding assays. A p32-hnRNP K-CK2 complex, which required IE63 to form, was isolated from HSV-1-infected cells, and coimmunoprecipitating p32 was phosphorylated by CK2. Expression of IE63 altered the cytoplasmic distribution of p32, with some now colocalizing with IE63 in the nuclei of infected and transfected cells. As p32 copurifies with splicing factors and can inhibit splicing, we propose that IE63 together with p32, possibly with other IE63 partner proteins, acts to disrupt or regulate pre-mRNA splicing. As well as contributing to host cell shutoff, this effect could facilitate splicing-independent nuclear export of viral transcripts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cell density and phosphorylation control the subcellular localization of adenomatous polyposis coli protein.

Loss of functional adenomatous polyposis coli protein (APC) leads to uncontrolled proliferation of colonic epithelial cells, as evidenced by polyp formation, a prelude to carcinogenesis. As a tumor suppressor, APC targets the oncogene beta-catenin for proteasome-mediated cytoplasmic degradation. Recently, it was demonstrated that APC also interacts with nuclear beta-catenin, thereby reducing beta-catenin's activity as a transcription cofactor and enhancing its nuclear export. The first objective of this study was to analyze how cellular context affected APC distribution. We determined that cell density but not cell cycle influenced APC's subcellular distribution, with predominantly nuclear APC found in subconfluent MDCK and intestinal epithelial cells but both cytoplasmic and nuclear APC in superconfluent cells. Redistribution of APC protein did not depend on continual nuclear export. Focusing on the two defined nuclear localization signals in the C-terminal third of APC (NLS1(APC) and NLS2(APC)), we found that phosphorylation at the CK2 site increased and phosphorylation at the PKA site decreased NLS2(APC)-mediated nuclear translocation. Cell density-mediated redistribution of beta-galactosidase was achieved by fusion to NLS2(APC) but not to NLS1(APC). Both the CK2 and PKA sites were important for this density-mediated redistribution, and pharmacological agents that target CK2 and PKA instigated relocalization of endogenous APC. Our data provide evidence that physiological signals such as cell density regulate APC's nuclear distribution, with phosphorylation sites near NLS2(APC) being critical for this regulation.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Adaptor heat shock protein complex formation regulates trafficking of the asialoglycoprotein receptor.

In the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) endocytic pathway, internalized receptors pass through early, recycling, and sorting endosomal compartments before returning to the cell surface. Sorting motifs in the cytoplasmic domain (CD) and protein interactions with these sequences presumably direct receptor trafficking. Previous studies have shown that association of a potential sorting heat shock protein (HSP) heterocomplex with the ASGPR-CD was regulated by casein kinase 2 (CK2)-mediated phosphorylation. Mass spectrometry and immunoblot analyses identified five of these ASGPR-CD-associated proteins as the molecular chaperones glycoprotein 96, HSP70, HSP90, cyclophilin A, and FK 506 binding protein. The present study was undertaken to determine whether any of the adaptor protein complexes (AP1, AP2, or AP3) were selectivity associated with the ASGPR-CD. In conjunction with molecular chaperones, AP2 and AP1 were recovered from a CK2 phosphorylated agarose-GSH-GST-ASGPR-CD matrix. Binding of AP3 was independent of the phosphorylation status of the CD matrix. Inhibition of CK2-mediated phosphorylation with tetrabromobenzotriazole prevented AP recovery within an immunoadsorbed ASGPR complex. Rapamycin, which dissociates the HSP heterocomplex from ASGPR-CD, thereby altering receptor trafficking also, inhibited AP association. Similar results were obtained with an inhibitor of HSP90 heterocomplex formation, geldanmycin. The data presented provide evidence that recruitment of AP1 and AP2, which is necessary for appropriate receptor trafficking, is mediated by the interaction of AP with the ASGPR-CD-bound HSP complex.

Adaptor Protein Complex 1↗

Estrogen regulates epithelial cell deformability by modulation of cortical actomyosin through phosphorylation of nonmuscle myosin heavy-chain II-B filaments.

The objective of the study was to understand how estrogen modulates the rigidity of the cytoskeleton in epithelial cells. Estrogen depletion decreased, and treatment with 17beta-estradiol increased deformability of cervical-vaginal epithelial cells. Estrogen also induced redistribution of nonmuscle myosin II-B (NMM-II-B); lesser interaction of NMM-II-B with actin; increased phosphorylation of NMM-II-B-heavy chains at threonine and serine residues; and decreased filamentation of NMM-II-B in vitro. The effects of 17beta-estradiol were time and dose related and could be mimicked by diethylstilbestrol. The effects of estrogen were blocked by cotreatment with antisense oligonucleotide for the estrogen receptor-alpha and inhibited by ICI-182,780 and tamoxifen; omission of epithelial growth factor (EGF) from the culture medium; and cotreatments with the EGF receptor inhibitor AG1478, the ERK-MAPK inhibitor PD98059, the casein kinase-II (CK2) inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-(D)-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole, the Rho-associated kinase inhibitor Y-27632, and the nonspecific phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. Coadministration of 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-(D)-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole plus okadaic acid blocked the 17beta-estradiol effect. H-89 or LY294002 did not significantly affect estrogen effects. Treatment with estrogen increased activation of ERK1/2 and CK2 activity. These data suggest a novel pathway of estrogen regulation of the cytoskeleton in epithelial cells. The effect is mediated by estrogen receptor-alpha and involves in part the EGF-EGF receptor and ERK-MAPK cascades as proximal signaling networks and the CK2 and Rho-associated kinase-regulated myosin heavy chain phosphatase as terminal effectors. Augmented phosphorylation of NMM-II-B can block filamentation and induce disassociation of the myosin from the cortical actin, and disruption of the actomyosin ring can increase cell deformability. This mechanism can explain estrogen regulation of paracellular permeability in cervical-vaginal epithelia in vivo.

Actins↗

The effect of phosphorylation by casein kinase 2 on the activity of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is known to be secreted as a phosphoprotein, constitutively phosphorylated at casein kinase 2 (CK2) sites. To examine the effect of phosphorylation by CK2 on the properties of glycosylated human IGFBP-3, we phosphorylated plasma-derived IGFBP-3, containing less than 1 mol/mol phosphoserine, in vitro. As judged by incorporated 32P, enzymatic deglycosylation did not decrease the phosphate content of phospho-IGFBP-3. Phosphorylation had no effect on IGF-I or IGF-II binding, but was inhibitory to acid-labile subunit binding in the presence of either IGF. Determined in simian virus 40-transformed human fibroblasts, cell association by phospho-IGFBP-3 was inhibited approximately 50% compared with that of the nonphosphorylated preparation. Phospho-IGFBP-3 showed significant resistance to proteolysis by plasmin and a cysteine protease secreted by MCF-7 cells. However, no difference was seen between the two preparations in their inhibition of IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis when coincubated with IGF-I in neonatal skin fibroblasts or MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and little difference was found in their ability to potentiate IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis when preincubated with fibroblasts. These results indicate that IGFBP-3 interaction with acid-labile subunit and with the cell surface, both of which involve basic carboxyl-terminal residues, may be modulated by phosphorylation. Relative resistance to proteolysis and poor binding to cells suggest that CK2-phospho-IGFBP-3 may be a significant inhibitor of IGF activity in the extracellular environment.

Casein Kinase II↗

In vivo circadian function of casein kinase 2 phosphorylation sites in Drosophila PERIOD.

Phosphorylation plays a key role in the precise timing of circadian clocks. Daily rhythms of phosphorylation of the Drosophila circadian clock component PERIOD (PER) were first described more than a decade ago, yet little is known about their phosphorylation sites and their function in circadian behavior. Here we show that serines 151 and 153 in PER are required for robust in vitro phosphorylation by the casein kinase 2 (CK2) holoenzyme, a cytoplasmic kinase shown to be involved in circadian rhythms. Mutation of these sites in transgenic flies results in significant period lengthening of behavioral rhythms, altered PER rhythms, and delayed PER nuclear localization in circadian pacemaker neurons. In many respects, mutation of these phosphorylation sites phenocopies mutation of the catalytic subunit of CK2. We propose that CK2 phosphorylation at these sites triggers PER nuclear localization.

Animals↗