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CK2beta is expressed in endometrial carcinoma and has a role in apoptosis resistance and cell proliferation

Judit Pallares1, David Llobet, Maria Santacana

  • 1Department of Pathology and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, IRBLLEIDA, Lleida, Spain.

The American Journal of Pathology
|December 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Protein kinase CK2 (CK2) is highly expressed in endometrial carcinoma (EC). This study found CK2beta promotes EC cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth, suggesting it

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Protein kinase CK2 (CK2) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in crucial cellular functions.
  • Previous research indicated CK2's role in TRAIL/Fas-induced apoptosis resistance in endometrial carcinoma (EC) via FLIP regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of CK2beta in EC.
  • To determine the role of CK2beta in EC cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of CK2beta expression in 95 EC tissues and 70 normal endometrium samples.
  • Correlation analysis of CK2beta expression with clinicopathological features, proliferation markers (Ki-67), and other proteins (cyclin D1, PTEN, AKT, beta-catenin, FLIP).
  • Down-regulation of CK2beta in Ishikawa EC cells using shRNA to assess effects on cell growth and protein expression.

Main Results:

  • CK2beta was frequently expressed in EC (nuclear 100%, cytoplasmic 87.5%) with higher intensity than in normal endometrium.
  • CK2beta expression correlated significantly with AKT, PTEN, beta-catenin, and FLIP.
  • CK2beta expression correlated with increased cell proliferation in EC.
  • CK2beta down-regulation inhibited EC colony formation in soft agar and reduced cyclin D1 expression and ERK phosphorylation.

Conclusions:

  • CK2beta is widely expressed in endometrial carcinoma.
  • CK2beta plays a significant role in promoting EC cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth.

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