Enhanced casein kinase II (CK II) activity in human lung tumours.
BACKGROUND
Casein kinase II (CK II) is expressed at a higher level in lung tumours when compared to the corresponding non-neoplastic lung tissue.


METHODS
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the activity of CK II both in neoplastic and non-neoplastic human lung tissue by using a synthetic peptide with Arg-Arg-Arg-Asp-Asp-Asp-Ser-Asp-Asp-Asp (RRRDDDSDDD) sequence. One unit of CK II activity is defined as the amount catalysing the transfer of 1 pmol 32P into the substrate within 1 minute at 37 degrees C.


RESULTS
The activities measured for the neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues were 1250-1500 U/mg protein and 100-500 U/mg protein, respectively. According to these results, the maximum activity observed in the lung carcinomas was 2 to 3-fold higher than the lung tumour specimens when compared to the non-neoplastic lung tissue. The activity range of CK II was between 500-1500 U mg protein.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that CK II plays an important role in cellular proliferation and the mechanism of its activation.
Yaylim
Ilhan
I
Institute of Experimental Medical Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Istanbul, Turkey.
Isbir
Turgay
T
D047390:Casein Kinase II; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008168:Lung / Q000201:enzymology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D009842:Oligopeptides; D047390:Casein Kinase II; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases