title: CK2 inhibits apoptosis and changes its cellular localization following ionizing radiation.
abstract: In this study, we show that CK2 (casein kinase II, CKII) participates in apoptotic responses following ionizing radiation (IR). Using HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells, we find that transfection of small interfering RNA against the CK2 alpha and/or alpha' catalytic subunits results in enhanced apoptosis following IR damage as measured by flow cytometry techniques, compared with a control small interfering RNA. Within 2 to 6 hours of IR, CK2 alpha partially localizes to perinuclear structures, whereas a marked nuclear localization of alpha' occurs. Treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor or transfection of ARC (apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain) suppresses the apoptotic response to IR in the CK2-reduced cells, indicating involvement of caspases. Additionally, we find that CK2 alpha and/or alpha' reduction affects cell cycle progression independent of IR damage in this human cell line. However, the G2-M checkpoint following IR is not affected in CK2 alpha- and/or alpha'-reduced cells. Thus, our data suggest that CK2 participates in inhibition of apoptosis and negatively regulates caspase activity following IR damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-6068, USA.
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamane
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kinsella
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D047390:Casein Kinase II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D016195:G2 Phase / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D047390:Casein Kinase II