Antisense oligonucleotides against protein kinase CK2-alpha inhibit growth of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in vitro.
BACKGROUND
Human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) overexpress the protein kinase CK2, and elevated CK2 activity correlates with aggressive tumor behavior and poor clinical outcome. We therefore investigated whether interference with CK2 expression would inhibit SCCHN cell growth in vitro.


METHODS
We targeted the catalytic (alpha) subunit of CK2 using an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) strategy. Human Ca9-22 cells derived from SCCHN were transfected with CK2-alpha sense, nonsense, or antisense ODN; CK2 activity was measured; and the effect on CK2 activity and on cell growth was determined.


RESULTS
Transfection of Ca9-22 cells with antisense CK2-alpha ODN resulted in significantly decreased CK2 kinase activity associated with nuclear chromatin and in dose-dependent growth inhibition of Ca9-22 cells in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
Interference with the protein kinase CK2 signal in SCCHN cells may offer a novel anticancer strategy for this malignancy.
Faust
R A
RA
Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA. rafsh@hscmail.mcc.virginia.eud
Tawfic
S
S
Davis
A T
AT
Bubash
L A
LA
Ahmed
K
K
D001483:Base Sequence; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D047390:Casein Kinase II; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011336:Probability; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D047390:Casein Kinase II; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases