Open AccessNuclear localization of the CK2α-subunit correlates with poor prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Maj Rabjerg,
Bárbara Guerra,
Aida Oliván-Viguera,
Minne Line Nedergaard Mikkelsen,
Ralf Köhler,
O.-G. Issinger,
Niels Marcussen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
oncotarget
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.373
H-Index - 127
ISSN - 1949-2553
DOI - 10.18632/oncotarget.13693
Subject(s) - renal cell carcinoma , cell growth , apoptosis , western blot , medicine , immunohistochemistry , protein kinase a , kinase , cancer , cancer research , protein subunit , cell culture , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , gene , biochemistry , genetics
Protein kinase CK2α, one of the two catalytic isoforms of the protein kinase CK2 has been shown to contribute to tumor development, tumor proliferation and suppression of apoptosis in various malignancies. We conducted this study to investigate CK2 expression in different subtypes of Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) and in the benign oncocytoma. qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses revealed that CK2α expression was significantly increased at the mRNA and protein levels in clear cell RCC (ccRCC). Also the kinase activity of CK2 was significantly increased in ccRCC compared to normal renal cortex. Nuclear protein expression of CK2α correlated in univariate analysis with poor Progression Free Survival (HR = 8.11, p = 0.016). Functional analyses (cell proliferation assay) revealed an inhibitory effect of Caki-2 cell growth following CK2 inhibition with CX-4945. Our results suggest that CK2α promotes migration and invasion of ccRCC and therefore could serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and molecular therapeutic target in this type of cancer.