First structure of protein kinase CK2 catalytic subunit with an effective CK2 beta-competitive ligand
Raaf, J., Guerra, B., Neundorf, I., Bopp, B., Issinger, O.G., Jose, J., Pietsch, M., Niefind, K.(2013) ACS Chem Biol 8: 901-907
- PubMed: 23474121 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/cb3007133
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
4IB5 - PubMed Abstract: 
The constitutively active Ser/Thr kinase CK2 (casein kinase 2) is used by tumor cells to acquire apoptosis resistance. CK2 exists as a heterotetrameric holoenzyme with two catalytic chains (CK2¦Á) attached to a dimer of noncatalytic subunits (CK2¦Â). A druggable cavity at the CK2¦Â interface of CK2¦Á allows the design of small molecules disturbing the CK2¦Á/CK2¦Â interaction and thus affecting activity, stability, and substrate specificity. We describe here the first structure of CK2¦Á with an effective CK2¦Â-competitive compound, namely, a 13-meric cyclic peptide derived from the C-terminal CK2¦Â segment. Some well-ordered water molecules not visible in CK2 holoenzyme structures were detected at the interface. Driven mainly by enthalpy, the peptide binds with submicromolar affinity to CK2¦Á, stimulates its catalytic activity, and reduces effectively the CK2¦Á/CK2¦Â affinity. The results provide a thermodynamic and structural rationalization of the peptide's CK2¦Â-competitive functionality and pave thus the way to a peptidomimetic drug addressing the CK2¦Á/CK2¦Â interaction.