Biology subjects

Perez, G. V.

Publications and source records attributed to Perez, G. V..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

On Casein Kinase-2 (CK2) deregulation in NSCLC: an enzyme subunit-centered approach

CK2 is considered a constitutively active protein kinase promoting/supporting several neoplastic properties and inducing a so-called non-oncogene addiction in tumor cells. Compared to the extensive body of pre-clinical research, the translational and clinical information on CK2 is still limited. The holoenzyme, composed by a tetrameric array of two catalytic (CSNK2A1 and/or CSNK2A1) and two regulatory (CSNK2B) subunits, remains to be clinically validated. Herein, we interrogated available cancer multiomics databases to unravel CK2 deregulated expression in NSCLC. We focused our analysis on individual CK2 subunits assuming subunit-specific tumor supportive roles across cancers and particularly, within two major NSCLC subtypes. Moreover, we performed meta-analysis to uncover associations between CK2 expression and patient survival, as well as further correlations analysis with components of the tumor-microenvironment. The genomic and transcriptomic data analysis was complemented by IHC evaluation of CSNK2A1, CSNK2A2 and CSNK2B subunit expression, and CK2 enzymatic activity thereof. Overall, our data suggests that epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms rather than mutational/gene amplification events may account for differential CK2 subunits expression/activity in NSCLC. Of note, CSNK2A1 and CSNK2B mRNA up-regulation consistently determine a worse patient prognosis in LUAD and correlated with increased infiltration of MDSCs/CAFs. Importantly, we corroborated that CK2 protein subunits levels and enzymatic activity are significantly exacerbated in LUAD and LUSC, but only CSNK2A1 positively correlated with tumor size and disease stage in the analyzed patient cohort, thus supporting our transcriptomic-based correlation analysis. Finally, we concluded that CSNK2A1 alone and/or the homo-tetramer thereof may be more instrumental to support NSCLC than CSNK2A2; thus, tailored drugs against these molecular CK2 entities may achieve better therapeutic windows at least for advanced lung cancer treatment.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Gene Expression Profiling Unveils the Temporal Dynamics of CIGB-300-Regulated Transcriptome in AML Cells

Protein kinase CK2 activity is implicated in the pathogenesis of various hematological malignancies like Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) that remains challenging concerning treatment. Consequently, here we used Illumina HT-12 microarray gene RNA expression profiling to study the molecular events that might support the anti-leukemic effect of CIGB-300 peptide which targets both CK2 substrates and the CK2 catalytic subunits on HL-60 and OCI-AML3 cell lines. As a result, 185 and 812 genes appeared significantly modulated in HL-60 cells at 30 min and 3 h of incubation with CIGB-300 for p< 0.01 and FC>[boxv]1.5[boxv], respectively; while 222 and 332 genes appeared modulated in OCI-AML3 cells. Importantly, functional enrichment analysis evidenced that genes and transcription factors related to apoptosis, cell cycle, leukocyte differentiation, signaling by cytokines/interleukins, and NF-kB, TNF signaling pathways were significantly represented in AML cells transcriptomic profiles. The influence of CIGB-300 on these biological processes and pathways is dependent on the cellular background, in first place, and treatment duration. Of note, the impact of the peptide on NF-kB signaling was corroborated by the quantification of selected NF-kB target genes, as well as the measurement of p50 binding activity and soluble TNF- induction. Quantification of CSF1/M-CSF and CDKN1A/P21 by PCR supports peptide effects on differentiation and cell cycle. Overall, here we explore for the first time the temporal dynamics of the gene expression profile regulated by CIGB-300 and provide fresh molecular clues concerning the antineoplastic effect of CIGB-300 in two relevant AML backgrounds.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Targeting of Protein Kinase CK2 Elicits Antiviral Activity on Bovine Coronavirus Infection

Coronaviruses constitute a global threat to human population since three highly pathogenic coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) have crossed species to cause severe human respiratory disease. Considering the worldwide emergency status due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, effective pan-coronavirus antiviral drugs are required to tackle the ongoing as well as future (re)emerging virus outbreaks. Protein kinase CK2 has been deemed a promising therapeutic target in COVID-19 supported by its in vitro pharmacologic inhibition and molecular studies on SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. CIGB-325 is a first-in-class synthetic peptide impairing the CK2-mediated signaling whose safety and clinical benefit have been evidenced in Covid-19 and cancer patients after intravenous administration. Here, we explored the putative antiviral effect of CIGB-325 over MDBK cells infected by bovine coronavirus (BCoV) Mebus. Importantly, CIGB-325 inhibited both the cytopathic effect and the number of plaques forming units with a half-inhibitory concentrations IC50 = 3.5 M and 17.7 M, respectively. Accordingly, viral protein accumulation at the cytoplasm was clearly reduced by treating BCoV-infected cells with CIGB-325 over time, as determined by immunocytochemistry. Of note, data from pull-down assay followed by western blot and/or mass spectrometry identification revealed physical interaction of CIGB-325 with nucleocapsid (N) protein and a bona fide cellular CK2 substrates. Functional enrichment and network analysis from the CIGB-325 interacting proteins indicated cytoskeleton reorganization and protein folding as the most represented biological processes disturbed by this anti-CK2 peptide. Altogether, our findings not only unveil the direct antiviral activity of CIGB-325 on coronavirus infection but also provide molecular clues underlying such effect. Also, our data reinforce the scientific rationality behind the pharmacologic inhibition of CK2 to treat coronavirus infections.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2021

Targeting of Protein Kinase CK2 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Using the Clinical-Grade Synthetic-Peptide CIGB-300

Protein kinase CK2 has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), advent that becomes particularly relevant since the treatment of this hematological neoplasia remains challenging. Here we explored for the first time the effect of the clinical-grade peptide-based CK2 inhibitor CIGB-300 on AML cells proliferation and viability. CIGB-300 internalization and subcellular distribution were also studied, and the role of B23/nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), a major target for the peptide in solid tumors, was addressed by knock-down in model cell lines. Finally, pull-down experiments and phosphoproteomic analysis were performed to study CIGB-interacting proteins and identify the array of CK2 substrates differentially modulated after treatment with the peptide. Importantly, CIGB-300 elicited a potent anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effect in AML cells, with more than 80% of peptide transduced cells within three minutes. Unlike solid tumor cells, NPM1 did not appear to be a major target for CIGB-300 in AML cells. However, in vivo pull-down experiments and phosphoproteomic analysis evidenced that CIGB-300 targeted the CK2 catalytic subunit, different ribosomal proteins, and inhibited the phosphorylation of a common CK2 substrates array among both AML backgrounds. Remarkably, our results not only provide cellular and molecular insights unveiling the complexity of the CIGB-300 anti-leukemic effect in AML cells, but also reinforce the rationale behind the pharmacologic blockade of protein kinase CK2 for AML targeted therapy.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Phosphoproteomic Landscape of AML Cells Treated with the ATP-Competitive CK2 Inhibitor CX-4945

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) regulates a plethora of proteins with pivotal roles in solid and hematological neoplasia. Particularly, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) CK2 has been pointed as an attractive therapeutic target and prognostic marker. Here, we explored the impact of CK2 inhibition over the phosphoproteome of two cell lines representing major AML subtypes. Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis was conducted to evaluate changes in phosphorylation levels after incubation with the ATP-competitive CK2 inhibitor CX-4945. Functional enrichment, network analysis, and database mining were performed to identify biological processes, signaling pathways, and CK2 substrates that are responsive to CX-4945. A total of 273 and 1310 phosphopeptides were found differentially modulated in HL-60 and OCI-AML3 cells, respectively. Despite regulated phosphopeptides belong to proteins involved in multiple biological processes and signaling pathways, most of these perturbations can be explain by direct CK2 inhibition rather than off-target effects. Furthermore, CK2 substrates regulated by CX-4945 are mainly related to mRNA processing, translation, DNA repair, and cell cycle. Overall, we evidenced that CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 impinge on mediators of signaling pathways and biological processes essential for primary AML cells survival and chemosensitivity, reinforcing the rationale behind the pharmacologic blockade of protein kinase CK2 for AML targeted therapy.

cancer biology↗