CK2-Dependent Phosphorylation of the Brg1 Chromatin Remodeling Enzyme Occurs during Mitosis

Brg1 (Brahma-related gene 1) is one of two mutually exclusive ATPases that can act as the catalytic subunit of mammalian SWI/SNF (mSWI/SfigureNF) chromatin remodeling enzymes that facilitate utilization of the DNA in eukaryotic cells. Brg1 is a phospho-protein, and its activity is regulated by specific kinases and phosphatases. Previously, we showed that Brg1 interacts with and is phosphorylated by casein kinase 2 (CK2) in a manner that regulates myoblast proliferation. Here, we use biochemical and cell and molecular biology approaches to demonstrate that the Brg1-CK2 interaction occurred during mitosis in embryonic mouse somites and in primary myoblasts derived from satellite cells isolated from mouse skeletal muscle tissue. The interaction of CK2 with Brg1 and the incorporation of a number of other subunits into the mSWI/SNF enzyme complex were independent of CK2 enzymatic activity. CK2-mediated hyperphosphorylation of Brg1 was observed in mitotic cells derived from multiple cell types and organisms, suggesting functional conservation across tissues and species. The mitotically hyperphosphorylated form of Brg1 was localized with soluble chromatin, demonstrating that CK2-mediated phosphorylation of Brg1 is associated with specific partitioning of Brg1 within subcellular compartments. Thus, CK2 acts as a mitotic kinase that regulates Brg1 phosphorylation and subcellular localization.