Inhibitors Of Protein Kinase CK2 Research Articles

Inhibition of protein kinase CK2 by quercetin enhances CD95-mediated apoptosis in a human thymus-derived T cell line

Quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) is one of the major dietary flavonoid, found in a broad range of fruits, vegetables and beverages, such as tea and wine, with a daily uptake between 10 and 100mg depending on the dietary attitude. We previously demonstrated that quercetin sensitizes HPB-ALL cell line to CD95-mediated apoptosis through a mechanism independent of its antioxidant properties and related to its ability to regulate the activity of serine–threonine protein kinases. Here, we report that quercetin is an inhibitor of protein kinase CK2, a kinase involved in apoptotic resistance in several forms of leukemia. Quercetin inhibits CK2 in an in vitro assay and in HPB-ALL cells decreasing its activity of 3.5-fold within 12h from treatment, in good agreement with the intracellular concentration of the molecule measured by HPLC on the same cells (0.933±0.188μg/mg of total proteins). Quercetin also inhibits pure CK2 enzyme with an EC50 of about 150nM in an in vitro assay. A specific CK2 inhibitor, TBB (4,5,6,7-tetra-bromo-benzo-triazole), behaves similarly to quercetin since it abolishes CK2 activity in HPB-ALL cells, but fails to enhance CD95-mediated apoptosis when associated with an anti-CD95 monoclonal antibody mimicking CD95 ligand. The resistance to apoptotic induction in HPB-ALL can be bypassed taking advantage of the pleiotropic activity of quercetin. Combined treatments which include quercetin in association with death receptor inducers may represent a novel therapeutic strategy against leukemia.

ER stress signaling in ARPE-19 cells after inhibition of protein kinase CK2 by CX-4945

Protein kinase CK2 is a critical factor for the survival of cells. It is overexpressed in many cancer cells and provides protection against apoptosis in these cells. Inhibition of CK2 kinase activity in various cancer cells leads to apoptosis, which makes CK2 an attractive target for cancer therapy. Little is, however, known about CK2 inhibition in non-cancerous cells. Using the human retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19, we analyzed the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ER stress signaling pathway after CK2 inhibition with CX-4945. Following CK2 inhibition, we did not find any significant generation of ROS in neither ARPE-19 non-cancer cells nor in HCT116 cancer cells. We found an induction of the ER stress pathway including the activation of eIF2α and ATF4 in both cell types. This activation was sufficient for ARPE-19 cells to cope with the ER stress. Furthermore, in contrast to HCT116 cancer cells, there was no induction of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor CHOP and no induction of apoptosis in the ARPE-19 cells. Overexpression of CHOP, however, induced apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells indicating that this step in the ER stress pathway is abrogated in normal cells compared to cancer cell.

Malaria Protein Kinase CK2 (PfCK2) Shows Novel Mechanisms of Regulation

Casein kinase 2 (protein kinase CK2) is a conserved eukaryotic serine/theronine kinase with multiple substrates and roles in the regulation of cellular processes such as cellular stress, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Here we report a detailed analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum CK2, PfCK2, demonstrating that this kinase, like the mammalian orthologue, is a dual specificity kinase able to phosphorylate at both serine and tyrosine. However, unlike the human orthologue that is auto-phosphorylated on tyrosine within the activation loop, PfCK2 shows no activation loop auto-phosphorylation but rather is auto-phosphorylated at threonine 63 within subdomain I. Phosphorylation at this site in PfCK2 is shown here to regulate the intrinsic kinase activity of PfCK2. Furthermore, we generate an homology model of PfCK2 in complex with the known selective protein kinase CK2 inhibitor, quinalizarin, and in so doing identify key co-ordinating residues in the ATP binding pocket that could aid in designing selective inhibitors to PfCK2.

Quantum-Chemical Insight into Structure–Reactivity Relationship in 4,5,6,7-Tetrahalogeno-1H-benzimidazoles: A Combined X-ray, DSC, DFT/QTAIM, Hirshfeld Surface-Based, and Molecular Docking Approach

The weak interaction patterns in 4,5,6,7-tetrahalogeno-1H-benzimidazoles, protein kinase CK2 inhibitors, in solid state are studied by the X-ray method and quantum chemistry calculations. The crystal structures of 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro- and 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole are determined by X-ray diffraction and refined to a final R-factor of 3.07 and 3.03%, respectively, at room temperature. The compound 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole, which crystallizes in the I41/a space group, is found to be isostructural with previously studied 4,5,6,7-tetraiodo-1H-benzimidazole in contrast to 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-1H-benzimidazole, which crystallizes as triclinic P1̅ with 4 molecules in elementary unit. For 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-1H-benzimidazole, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed a second order glassy phase transition at Tg = 95°/106° (heating/cooling), an indication of frozen disorder. The lack of 3D isostructurality found in all 4,5,6,7-tetrahalogeno-1H-benzimidazoles is elucidated on the basis of the intra- and intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding, van der Waals contacts, and C-H···π interactions). The topological Bader's Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and Spackman's Hirshfeld surface-based approaches reveal equilibration of electrostatic matching and dispersion van der Waals interactions between molecules consistent with the crystal site-symmetry. The weakening of van der Waals forces accompanied by increasing strength of the hydrogen bond (N-H···N) result in a decrease in the crystal site-symmetry and a change in molecular packing in the crystalline state. Crystal packing motifs were investigated with the aid of Hirshfeld surface fingerprint plots. The ordering 4,5,6,7-tetraiodo > 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo > 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro > 4,5,6,7-tetrafluoro reflects not only a decrease in crystal symmetry but also increase in chemical reactivity (electronic activation), which could explain some changes in biological activity of compounds from the 4,5,6,7-tetrahalogeno-1H-benzimidazole series. The ability of formation of a given type of bonds by 4,5,6,7-tetrahalogeno-1H-benzimidazole molecules is the same in the crystal and in CK2. Analysis of the interactions in the crystal permits drawing conclusions on the character (the way) of connections between a given 4,5,6,7-tetrahalogeno-1H-benzimidazole as a ligand with CK2 protein to make a protein-ligand complex.

Exploring the prominent performance of CX-4945 derivatives as protein kinase CK2 inhibitors by a combined computational study

Protein kinase CK2, also known as casein kinase II, is related to various cellular events and is a potential target for numerous cancers. In this study, we attempted to gain more insight into the inhibition process of CK2 by a series of CX-4945 derivatives through an integrated computational study that combines molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and binding free energy calculations. Based on the binding poses predicted by molecular docking, the MD simulations were performed to explore the dynamic binding processes for ten selected inhibitors. Then, both Molecular Mechanics/Poisson Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) and Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) techniques were employed to predict the binding affinities of the studied systems. The predicted binding energies of the selected inhibitors correlate well with their experimental activities (r(2) = 0.78). The van der Waals term is the most favorable component for the total energies. The free energy decomposition on a per residue basis reveals that the residue K68 is essential for the electrostatic interactions between CK2 and the studied inhibitors and numerous residues, including L45, V53, V66, F113, M163 and I174, play critical roles in forming van der Waals interactions with the inhibitors. Finally, a number of new derivatives were designed and the binding affinity and the predicted binding free energies of each designed molecule were obtained on the basis of molecular docking and MM/PBSA. It is expected that our research will benefit the future rational design of novel and potent inhibitors of CK2.

Inhibition of protein kinase CK2 with the clinical-grade small ATP-competitive compound CX-4945 or by RNA interference unveils its role in acute myeloid leukemia cell survival, p53-dependent apoptosis and daunorubicin-induced cytotoxicity

BackgroundThe involvement of protein kinase CK2 in sustaining cancer cell survival could have implications also in the resistance to conventional and unconventional therapies. Moreover, CK2 role in blood tumors is rapidly emerging and this kinase has been recognized as a potential therapeutic target. Phase I clinical trials with the oral small ATP-competitive CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 are currently ongoing in solid tumors and multiple myeloma.MethodsWe have analyzed the expression of CK2 in acute myeloid leukemia and its function in cell growth and in the response to the chemotherapeutic agent daunorubicin We employed acute myeloid leukemia cell lines and primary blasts from patients grouped according to the European LeukemiaNet risk classification. Cell survival, apoptosis and sensitivity to daunorubicin were assessed by different means. p53-dependent CK2-inhibition-induced apoptosis was investigated in p53 wild-type and mutant cells.ResultsCK2α was found highly expressed in the majority of samples across the different acute myeloid leukemia prognostic subgroups as compared to normal CD34+ hematopoietic and bone marrow cells. Inhibition of CK2 with CX-4945, K27 or siRNAs caused a p53-dependent acute myeloid leukemia cell apoptosis. CK2 inhibition was associated with a synergistic increase of the cytotoxic effects of daunorubicin. Baseline and daunorubicin-induced STAT3 activation was hampered upon CK2 blockade.ConclusionsThese results suggest that CK2 is over expressed across the different acute myeloid leukemia subsets and acts as an important regulator of acute myeloid leukemia cell survival. CK2 negative regulation of the protein levels of tumor suppressor p53 and activation of the STAT3 anti-apoptotic pathway might antagonize apoptosis and could be involved in acute myeloid leukemia cell resistance to daunorubicin.

Protein Kinase CK2 Inhibition Down Modulates the NF-κB and STAT3 Survival Pathways, Enhances the Cellular Proteotoxic Stress and Synergistically Boosts the Cytotoxic Effect of Bortezomib on Multiple Myeloma and Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cells

CK2 is a pivotal pro-survival protein kinase in multiple myeloma that may likely impinge on bortezomib-regulated cellular pathways. In the present study, we investigated CK2 expression in multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma, two bortezomib-responsive B cell tumors, as well as its involvement in bortezomib-induced cytotoxicity and signaling cascades potentially mediating bortezomib resistance. In both tumors, CK2 expression correlated with that of its activated targets NF-κB and STAT3 transcription factors. Bortezomib-induced proliferation arrest and apoptosis were significantly amplified by the simultaneous inhibition of CK2 with two inhibitors (CX-4945 and K27) in multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma cell lines, in a model of multiple myeloma bone marrow microenvironment and in cells isolated from patients. CK2 inhibition empowered bortezomib-triggered mitochondrial-dependent cell death. Phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 on Ser529 (a CK2 target site) and rise of the levels of the endoplasmic reticulum stress kinase/endoribonuclease Ire1α were markedly reduced upon CK2 inhibition, as were STAT3 phospho Ser727 levels. On the contrary, CK2 inhibition increased phospho Ser51 eIF2α levels and enhanced the bortezomib-dependent accumulation of poly-ubiquitylated proteins and of the proteotoxic stress-associated chaperone Hsp70. Our data suggest that CK2 over expression in multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma cells might sustain survival signaling cascades and can antagonize bortezomib-induced apoptosis at different levels. CK2 inhibitors could be useful in bortezomib-based combination therapies.

Retinal pigment epithelium cells produce VEGF in response to oxidized phospholipids through mechanisms involving ATF4 and protein kinase CK2

Oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) are pleiotropic lipid mediators known to induce proangiogenic and proinflammatory cellular effects that are increasingly recognized to be involved in a number of physiologic and pathologic processes in the retina. Immunohistochemical studies have detected OxPLs in retinal structures, such as retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) or photoreceptor cells. This study analyzed whether OxPLs could play a role in upregulation of VEGF, which is a cause of pathological neovascularization characteristic of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. We confirmed accumulation of OxPLs in the eye using reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Multiple species of oxidized phosphatidylcholines (OxPCs) were detected in human vitreous, including biologically active fragmented species POVPC, PGPC, PONPC and PAzPC. In in vitro experiments human fetal RPE and primary RPE cells were stimulated with OxPLs. Primary RPE cells were transfected with small interfering RNAs targeting ATF4. mRNA levels of VEGF in fetal and primary RPE cells were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. VEGF protein concentrations were measured in culture medium by ELISA. We found that OxPCs and other classes of OxPLs upregulated the expression of VEGF in fetal and primary RPE cells, which critically depended on ATF4. In addition, upregulation of VEGF in primary RPE cells was blocked by a chemical inhibitor of protein kinase CK2 known to suppress induction of ATF4 and VEGF by OxPLs. Our data show that different species of OxPLs, which are present in the human eye are capable of stimulating expression of VEGF in fetal and primary RPE cells via ATF4-dependent mechanisms.

Hematein, a casein kinase II inhibitor, inhibits lung cancer tumor growth in a murine xenograft model

Casein kinase II (CK2) inhibitors suppress cancer cell growth. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of a novel CK2 inhibitor, hematein, on tumor growth in a murine xenograft model. We found that in lung cancer cells, hematein inhibited cancer cell growth, Akt/PKB Ser129 phosphorylation, the Wnt/TCF pathway and increased apoptosis. In a murine xenograft model of lung cancer, hematein inhibited tumor growth without significant toxicity to the mice tested. Molecular docking showed that hematein binds to CK2α in durable binding sites. Collectively, our results suggest that hematein is an allosteric inhibitor of protein kinase CK2 and has antitumor activity to lung cancer.

CK2 Inhibitor CX-4945 Blocks TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in A549 Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells

BackgroundThe epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major phenotype of cancer metastasis and invasion. As a druggable cancer target, the inhibition of protein kinase CK2 (formally named to casein kinase 2) has been suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy to treat EMT-controlled cancer metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 on the processes of cancer migration and invasion during the EMT in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells.Materials and MethodsThe effect of CX-4945 on TGF-β1-induced EMT was evaluated in A549 cells treated with TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) and CX-4945. The effect of CX-4945 on TGF-β1-induced cadherin switch and activation of key signaling molecules involved in Smad, non-Smad, Wnt and focal adhesion signaling pathways were investigated by Western blot analysis, immunocytochemistry and reporter assay. Additionally, the effect of CX-4945 on TGF-β1-induced migration and invasion was investigated by wound healing assay, Boyden chamber assay, gelatin zymography, and the quantitative real-time PCR.ResultsCX-4945 inhibits the TGF-β1-induced cadherin switch and the activation of key signaling molecules involved in Smad (Smad2/3, Twist and Snail), non-Smad (Akt and Erk), Wnt (β-catenin) and focal adhesion signaling pathways (FAK, Src and paxillin) that cooperatively regulate the overall process of EMT. As a result, CX-4945 inhibits the migration and invasion of A549 cells accompanied with the downregulation of MMP-2 and 9.ConclusionsClinical evaluation of CX-4945 in humans as a single agent in solid tumors and multiple myeloma has established its promising pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety profiles. Beyond regression of tumor mass, CX-4945 may be advanced as a new therapy for cancer metastasis and EMT-related disorders.

Discovery and Design of Tricyclic Scaffolds as Protein Kinase CK2 (CK2) Inhibitors through a Combination of Shape-Based Virtual Screening and Structure-Based Molecular Modification

Protein kinase CK2 (CK2), a ubiquitous serine/threonine protein kinase for hundreds of endogenous substrates, serves as an attractive anticancer target. One of its most potent inhibitors, CX-4945, has entered a phase I clinical trial. Herein we present an integrated workflow combining shape-based virtual screening for the identification of novel CK2 inhibitors. A shape-based model derived from CX-4945 was built, and the subsequent virtual screening led to the identification of several novel scaffolds with high shape similarity to that of CX-4945. Among them two tricyclic scaffolds named [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-c]quinazolin and [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin attracted us the most. Combining strictly chemical similarity analysis, a second-round shape-based screening was performed based on the two tricyclic scaffolds, leading to 28 derivatives. These compounds not only targeted CK2 with potent and dose-dependent activities but also showed acceptable antiproliferative effects against a series of cancer cell lines. Our workflow supplies a high efficient strategy in the identification of novel CK2 inhibitors. Compounds reported here can serve as ideal leads for further modifications.

Coumestrol from the national cancer Institute’s natural product library is a novel inhibitor of protein kinase CK2

BackgroundCasein kinase 2 (CK2) is involved in various cellular events such as proliferation, apoptosis, and the cell cycle. CK2 overexpression is associated with multiple human cancers and may therefore be a promising target for cancer therapy. To identity novel classes of inhibitors for CK2, we screened a natural product library obtained from National Cancer Institute.MethodsThe quantitative luminescent kinase assay ADP-Glo™ was used to screen CK2 inhibitors from the natural product library. The same assay was used to determine cell-free dose-dependent response of CK2 inhibitors and conduct a kinetic study. Docking was performed to predict the binding patterns of selected CK2 inhibitors. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate Akt phosphorylation specific to CK2 and apoptosis effect. The cell viability assay CellTiter-Glo® was used to evaluate the inhibition effects of CK2 inhibitors on cancer cells.ResultsWe identified coumestrol as a novel reversible ATP competitive CK2 inhibitor with an IC50 value of 228 nM. Coumestrol is a plant-derived compound that belongs to the class of phytoestrogens, natural compounds that mimic the biological activity of estrogens. In our study, coumestrol showed high selectivity among 13 kinases. The hydrogen bonds formed between coumestrol and the amino acids in the ATP binding site were first reviewed by a molecular docking study that suggested a possible interaction of coumestrol with the hinge region of ATP site of CK2. In addition, coumestrol inhibited cancer cell growth partially through down-regulation of CK2-specific Akt phosphorylation. Finally, coumestrol exerted strong inhibition effects on the growth of three cancer cell lines.ConclusionOur study shows that coumestrol, a novel ATP competitive and cell permeable CK2 inhibitor with submicromolar IC50, had inhibition effects on the growth of three cancer cell lines and may represent a promising class of CK2 inhibitors.

Diapause Prevention Effect of Bombyx mori by Dimethyl Sulfoxide

HCl treatment has been, for about 80 years, the primary method for the prevention of entry into embryonic diapauses of Bombyx mori. This is because no method is as effective as the HCl treatment. In this study, we discovered that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) prevented entry into the diapause of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The effect of diapause prevention was 78% as a result of treatment with 100% DMSO concentration, and the effect was comparable to that of the HCl treatment. In contrast, in the case of non-diapause eggs, hatchability was decreased by DMSO in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of DMSO was restricted within 24 hours after oviposition of diapause eggs, and the critical period was slightly shorter than the effective period of the HCl treatment. DMSO analogs, such as dimethyl formamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS), did little preventive effect against the diapause. Furthermore, we also investigated the permeation effects of chemical compounds by DMSO. When treated with an inhibitor of protein kinase CK2 (CK2) dissolved in DMSO, the prevention rate of the diapause was less than 40%. This means that the inhibition effect by the CK2 inhibitor was the inhibition of embryonic development after diapause prevention by DMSO. These data suggest that DMSO has the effects of preventing from entering into the diapause and permeation of chemicals into diapause eggs.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives as inhibitors of the human protein kinase CK2

Herein we describe the synthesis and properties of substituted phenylaminopyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline-carboxylic acid derivatives as a novel class of potent inhibitors of the human protein kinase CK2. A set of 15 compounds was designed and synthesized using convenient and straightforward synthesis protocols. The compounds were tested for inhibition of human protein kinase CK2, which is a potential drug target for many diseases including inflammatory disorders and cancer. New inhibitors with IC50 in the micro- and sub-micromolar range were identified. The most promising compound, the 4-[(3-chlorophenyl)amino]pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline-3-carboxylic acid 1c inhibited human CK2 with an IC50 of 49 nM. Our findings indicate that pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines are a promising starting scaffold for further development and optimization of human protein kinase CK2 inhibitors.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of 2-phenylisothiazolidin-3-one-1,1-dioxides as a new class of human protein kinase CK2 inhibitors

The synthesis and in vitro evaluation of 40 new 2-phenylisothiazolidin-3-one-1,1-dioxide derivatives are described. The optimization based on biological screening data and molecular modeling resulted in a 10-fold increase in inhibitory activity compared with previously reported inhibitors of this class and led to the identification of 3-{[2-chloro-4-(1,1-dioxido-3-oxoisothiazolidin-2-yl)benzoyl]amino}benzoic acid, a potent inhibitor of human protein kinase CK2 (ІC50 = 1.5 μM).

Inhibition of Protein Kinase CK2 Reduces Cyp24a1 Expression and Enhances 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Antitumor Activity in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Vitamin D has broad range of physiological functions and antitumor effects. 24-Hydroxylase, encoded by the CYP24A1 gene, is the key enzyme for degrading many forms of vitamin D including the most active form, 1,25D(3). Inhibition of CYP24A1 enhances 1,25D(3) antitumor activity. To isolate regulators of CYP24A1 expression in prostate cancer cells, we established a stable prostate cancer cell line PC3 with CYP24A1 promoter driving luciferase expression to screen a small molecular library for compounds that inhibit CYP24A1 promoter activity. From this screening, we identified, 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzimidazole (TBBz), a protein kinase CK2 selective inhibitor as a disruptor of CYP24A1 promoter activity. We show that TBBz inhibits CYP24A1 promoter activity induced by 1,25D(3) in prostate cancer cells. In addition, TBBz downregulates endogenous CYP24A1 mRNA level in TBBz-treated PC3 cells. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated CK2 knockdown reduces 1,25D(3)-induced CYP24A1 mRNA expression in PC3 cells. These results suggest that CK2 contributes to 1,25D(3)-mediated target gene expression. Finally, inhibition of CK2 by TBBz or CK2 siRNA significantly enhances 1,25D(3)-mediated antiproliferative effect in vitro and in vivo in a xenograft model. In summary, our findings reveal that protein kinase CK2 is involved in the regulation of CYP24A1 expression by 1,25D(3) and CK2 inhibitor enhances 1,25D(3)-mediated antitumor effect.

WITHDRAWN: QSAR and pharmacophore modeling of some benzimidazole derivatives as Protein Kinase CK2 Inhibitors

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Exploiting the repertoire of CK2 inhibitors to target DYRK and PIM kinases

Advantage has been taken of the relative promiscuity of commonly used inhibitors of protein kinase CK2 to develop compounds that can be exploited for the selective inhibition of druggable kinases other than CK2 itself. Here we summarize data obtained by altering the scaffold of CK2 inhibitors to give rise to novel selective inhibitors of DYRK1A and to a powerful cell permeable dual inhibitor of PIM1 and CK2. In the former case one of the new compounds, C624 (naphto [1,2-b]benzofuran-5,9-diol) displays a potency comparable to that of the first-in-class DYRK1A inhibitor, harmine, lacking however the drawback of drastically inhibiting monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) as harmine does. On the other hand the promiscuous CK2 inhibitor 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole (TBI,TBBz) has been derivatized with a sugar moiety to generate a 1-(β-D-2′-deoxyribofuranosyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole (TDB) compound which inhibits PIM1 and CK2 with comparably high efficacy (IC50 values<100nM) and remarkable selectivity. TDB, unlike other dual PIM1/CK2 inhibitors described in the literature is readily cell permeable and displays a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells consistent with concomitant inhibition of both its onco-kinase targets. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Inhibitors of Protein Kinases (2012).

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3B is connected to osteopontin and protein kinase CK2 in pancreatic &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;β&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;-cells

Islets from RIP-PDE3B mice, exhibiting β-cell specific overexpression of the cAMP/cGMP-degrading enzyme phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) and dysregulated insulin secretion, were subjected to microarray analysis. We show that osteopontin (OPN) mRNA is increased in a dose-dependent manner in islets from RIP-PDE3B mice, as compared to wild-type islets. In addition, in silico analysis shows that PDE3B and OPN are interacting. Furthermore, OPN interacts with protein kinase CK2 ina distinct submodule of the protein-protein interaction network. We studied PDE3B and OPN proteins and, in some cases, also PDE1B and PDE4C, under conditions of relevance for insulin secretion. In the presence of forskolin, PDE inhibitors, insulin, or a protein kinase CK2 inhibitor, similar alterations in protein levels of PDE3B and OPN are shown. In summary, results from using a number of strategies demonstrate a connection between PDE3B and OPNas well as a role for protein kinase CK2 inpancreatic β-cells.

Synthesis of hetero annulated carbazoles: exploration of in vitro cytotoxicity and molecular docking studies

The newly synthesized hetero annulated carbazoles were prepared in good yields and structurally characterized by all spectral means. The in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated for all the synthesized compounds by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay against HeLa and MCF 7 and compared with the standard drug ellipticine. Compound 5b outperformed the standard drug ellipticine. All the compounds showed moderate to potent activity against the cell lines. The preliminary structure–activity relationships were carried out. In order to understand the nature of interactions of these molecules we carried out molecular docking studies using the protein kinase CK2 inhibitors. The docking results provided some useful information for the future design of more potent inhibitors.