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Identification of Novel CK2 Kinase Substrates Using a Versatile Biochemical Approach
11:11

Identification of Novel CK2 Kinase Substrates Using a Versatile Biochemical Approach

Published on: February 21, 2019

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Protein kinase 2 (CK2): a potential regulator of immune cell development and function in cancer

Kazim Husain1, Tanika T Williamson1, Nadine Nelson1

  • 1Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.

Immunological Medicine
|November 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Protein kinase CK2 regulates immune cells in cancer. Targeting CK2 offers a novel therapeutic strategy to improve cancer treatment by modulating immune responses within the tumor microenvironment.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase II) is a highly conserved enzyme regulating cellular processes.
  • CK2 plays roles in carcinogenesis, with its subunits linked to various cancers.
  • CK2 also influences the tumor microenvironment and immune cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the extrinsic role of CK2 in regulating immune responses in cancer.
  • To highlight CK2's potential as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
  • To discuss CK2's regulation of key signaling pathways impacting immune cells.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on CK2 and its role in cancer immunology.
  • Analysis of CK2's regulation of signaling pathways (NF-κB, JAK/STAT, HIF-1α, COX-2, ERK/MAPK, Notch, AKT, Ikaros, Wnt).
  • Discussion of CK2's influence on immune cell development and function in cancer.

Main Results:

  • CK2 influences immune cell development and function through various signaling pathways.
  • Overexpression and deregulation of CK2 are linked to cancer development.
  • CK2's extrinsic role in the tumor microenvironment is underexplored but significant.

Conclusions:

  • CK2's regulation of immune responses presents a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer.
  • Targeting CK2 with inhibitors could improve cancer treatment outcomes.
  • Further research and clinical trials are needed to validate CK2 inhibitors in malignancies.
Keywords:
CK2 inhibitors and immunotherapycancer chemotherapyimmune cellsprotein kinase CK2

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