揭示蛋白激酶CK2生物学功能——亚基敲除/敲减

Understanding the Biological Functions of CK2 Through Genetic Manipulation of Its Subunits

蛋白激酶CK2是一种真核细胞中普遍存在的信使非依赖性丝/苏氨酸蛋白激酶,可催化细胞内多种蛋白质的磷酸化,由2个催化亚基CK2α或α'以及2个调节亚基CK2β组成的异源四聚体结构。为深入了解CK2的结构与功能,通过运用同源重组敲除、条件性敲除及RNAi引起的基因敲减技术分别对其3个亚基进行敲除与抑制,发现在CK2亚基敲除与抑制后,可对个体生殖、胚胎发育、肿瘤、代谢以及衰老造成重要的影响,说明CK2各亚基具有重要的生物学功能。本文就敲除与敲减蛋白激酶CK2任一亚基后其功能变化的进展作一综述。

Protein kinase CK2 is a messenger-independent serine / threonine kinase ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotes cells that catalyzes the phosphorylation of a large number of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins. The holoenzyme of CK2 is a heterotetramer,composed of two catalytic（ α and / or α＇）and two regulatory（ β） subunits. CK2 has been reported to be involved in the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. Studies by gene targeting or knockdown experiments revealed critical roles for CK2 in reproduction,embryonic development,tumorigenesis,metabolism and aging. This review focuses on the recent advance in our understanding of CK2 functions.