Identification of a Tumor Specific, Active-Site Mutation in Casein Kinase 1α by Chemical Proteomics

Eric S Okerberg1, Anna Hainley1, Heidi Brown1

  • 1ActivX Biosciences, Inc., La Jolla, CA, United States of America.

Plos One
|April 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a new tumor-specific mutation in casein kinase 1 alpha (CSNK1A1) using activity-based proteomics. This novel D163N mutation in the kinase

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Casein kinase 1 alpha (CSNK1A1) is a key regulator of cellular processes.
  • Mutations in protein kinases can drive tumorigenesis.
  • Activity-based proteomics enables the discovery of enzyme activity and modifications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel, tumor-specific kinase mutations using activity-based proteomics.
  • To characterize a newly identified mutation in the CSNK1A1 active site.

Main Methods:

  • Activity-based proteomics utilizing an ATP acyl phosphate probe.
  • Kinase-targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS2).
  • Analysis of matched normal and colon tumor samples.
  • Expression and genomic sequencing for mutation verification.

Main Results:

  • A novel, tumor-specific missense mutation (D163N) was identified in the CSNK1A1 active site.
  • The mutation alters the conserved catalytic aspartic acid residue.
  • This is the first missense mutation in CSNK1A1's catalytic aspartic acid and the first identified via activity-based proteomics.

Conclusions:

  • A novel, tumor-specific CSNK1A1 mutation (D163N) was discovered using activity-based proteomics.
  • This mutation affects a critical residue in the kinase active site.
  • The tumorigenic potential of this novel mutation warrants further investigation.

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