Ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole derivatives as inhibitors of casein kinase-2 and casein kinase-1

5,6-Dichloro-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole (DiCl-RB) is a powerful inhibitor of casein kinase-2 (CK-2) [Zandomeni, R. et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 3414-3420]. Here a series of 17 analogues of DiCl-RB has been employed for studying the specificity and the mode of action of this family of CK-2 inhibitors. The two halogen substituents on the benzene ring are shown to play a prominent role in inhibition, the 5,6-dibromo derivative (DiBr-RB) being fivefold more effective than DiCl-RB (Ki = 2 microM, with GTP as substrate), whereas the difluoro derivative (DiF-RB) is nearly as ineffective as unsubstituted 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole. On the other hand, although some modifications of the ribose group significantly decrease the inhibitory efficiency, the sugar moiety is not strictly required, since dichlorobenzimidazole itself (DiCl-Bz) is an inhibitor almost as good as DiCl-RB. Inhibition of CK-2 by DiCl-RB and by its analogues, DiCl-Bz included, is of the competitive type with respect to the nucleotide substrate, the Ki values being lower with GTP than with ATP. The Ki values of the most potent inhibitor, DiBr-RB, with ATP and GTP, are 6 microM and 2 microM, respectively, denoting an affinity for the enzyme higher than that of the physiological substrates, ATP and GTP. DiBr-RB has been assayed for its inhibitory capacity toward several protein kinase other than CK-2. Protein kinase-C, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, the Ser/Thr protein kinase expressed by Pseudorabies virus, and four different tyrosine protein kinases from spleen, proved insensitive to DiBr-RB concentrations capable of almost entirely suppressing the activity of rat liver and maize seedling CK-2. Casein kinase-1 however is nearly as sensitive as CK-2 to DiBr-RB. Inhibition of CK-1 is also of the competitive type with respect to ATP (Ki = 14 microM). Although the inhibitory spectrum of CK-1 by the various analogues is reminiscent of that observed with CK-2, a remarkable difference is revealed by 5'-phosphorylation of ribose which increases the Ki with CK-2 while decreasing that with CK-1.     

Similarities and differences in the properties of multiple isoforms of maize endosperm casein kinase I (CK-I)

Two novel type I casein kinases named CK-1B and CK-1C have been purified from maize endosperm (three weeks after anthesis) by a six step procedure involving ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-75, Heparin-sepharose, and ATP-agarose chromatography. The catalytic subunits of both enzymes were identified as a 35-37 kDa polypeptide doublet by in situ phosphorylation after SDS/PAGE in active casein gel. Both enzymes required 5-10 mmol · L⁻¹ Mg²⁺ for maximal activity, could utilize only ATP as phosphate donor, were insensitive to heparin, were not autophosphorylated, had a pH optimum at pH 7 to 8.5, and exclusively phosphorylated acidic proteins (casein, phosvitin). Regarding the enzyme differences, their properties were as follows: a) CK-1B could bind on ATP-agarose affinity column, while CK-1C could not; b) the activity of CK-1C was strongly stimulated at low concentrations (1 mmol/L) of spermine, while that of CK-1B was inhibited; c) CK-1B and CK-1C Km values for ATP were 11 μmol · L⁻¹ and 26 μmol · L⁻¹, respectively; d) Mg²⁺ could substituted by Mn²⁺ in the CK-1B catalytic activity (by about 80 percnt;); e) CK-1B phosphorylated serine, while CK-1C both serine and threonine on casein. The combination of these results with those from Babatsikos and Yupsanis (2000) brings the number of investigated maize endosperm CK-I isoforms to three (CK-1B, CK-1C, and CK-1E). This is the first biochemical approach demonstrating that multiple isoforms of CK-I casein kinases are present in the same plant tissue.     

Changes induced by hydrazine in optical spectra of cytochrome oxidase

Casein kinase-TS (Ck-TS), a type-2 casein kinase purified from rat liver cytosol which phosphorylates seryl and threonyl residues N-terminal to acidic clusters, is specifically inhibited by polyglutamyl peptides which are ineffective both on type-1 casein kinase and on cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The inhibition is competitive toward the protein substrate and non-competitive toward ATP. Among the polyglutamates tested (Glu)70 is the most effective (Ki 0.11 microM). (Glu)10 and (Glu)5 are also inhibitors, though less powerful than (Glu)70, while (Glu)3, (Glu)2 and free glutamic acid up to 5 mM are ineffective. These results disclose the possibility that naturally occurring polypeptides containing long stretches of acidic residues may act as physiological inhibitors of type-2 casein kinases.     

Inhibition of glycogen synthase (casein) kinase-1 by heparin

Previous reports have shown that heparin is an inhibitor of casein kinase-2 (CK-2). It is unclear whether heparin is also an inhibitor of glycogen synthase (casein) kinase-1 (CK-1), a type 1 casein kinase. In this study it is shown that CK-1 is potently inhibited by heparin when phosvitin or calcineurin are used as substrates. With casein as a substrate, however, the kinase is insensitive to inhibition by heparin. Using phosvitin as a substrate half-maximal inhibition of CK-1 was observed with 0.14 microgram/ml heparin. Kinetic analyses indicate that at a constant concentration (0.10 mM) of ATP the Km of CK-1 for phosvitin is increased eightfold in the presence of 0.9 microgram/ml heparin; the Vmax is unchanged with or without heparin. At a constant concentration of phosvitin (4 mg/ml) heparin (0.9 microgram/ml) decreased the Vmax for ATP by 57%; the Km is unchanged with or without heparin. The inhibition of CK-1 by heparin can be reversed by KCl (greater than 100 mM). These results indicate that heparin is a potent inhibitor not only of CK-2 but also of CK-1. Hence heparin inhibition can no longer be arbitrarily used as a criterion to discriminate between these kinases.     

Inhibition of glycogen synthase (casein) kinase-1 by divalent metal ions

The specificity of glycogen synthase (casein) kinase-1 (CK-1) for different divalent metal ions was explored in this study. Of nine metal ions (Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Fe2+) tested, only Mg2+ supported significant kinase activity. Several of the other metals, however, inhibited the Mg2+-stimulated kinase activity. Half-maximal inhibitions by Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Fe2+, and Ni2+ were observed at 55, 65, 110, 125, and 284 microM, respectively. Kinetic analyses indicate that the metal ions are acting as competitive inhibitors of CK-1 with respect to the protein substrate (casein) and as noncompetitive inhibitors with respect to the nucleotide substrate (ATP). The inhibition of CK-1 by the different metal ions can be reversed by EGTA.     

Potent and preferential inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II by K252a and its derivative, KT5926.

Effects of protein kinase inhibitors, K252a and its derivative KT5926, on Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II were examined. Both compounds potently inhibited Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Kinetic analyses indicated that the inhibitory effect of K252a and KT5926 was competitive with respect to ATP (Ki: 1.8 and 4.4 nM, respectively) and noncompetitive with respect to the substrates. Taken together with a previous report (Nakanishi et al. Mol. Pharmacol. 37, 482, 1990) concerning the Ki values of these compounds for ATP with various protein kinases, the results suggest that K252a and KT5926 are potent and preferential inhibitors of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.     

Purification of a yeast protein kinase sharing properties with type I and type II casein kinases

Cyclic nucleotide independent protein kinases preferring casein as in vitro substrates were resolved into four distinct species. Only one of the enzymes (CKII) was retained by DEAE-cellulose, whereas the three other enzymes (CKI-1, CKI-2, and CKI-3) were absorbed to CM-Sephadex, eluted with 250 and 600 mM NaCl, and fractionated by heparin-Sepharose chromatography. The casein kinase CKI-3 eluting at the highest NaCl concentration (550 mM) was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by fast protein liquid chromatography. CKI-1 and CKI-2 correspond to mammalian type I casein kinase, because they bind to CM-Sephadex, they are monomeric enzymes of molecular weights below 50,000, they accept ATP exclusively (CKI-1) or predominantly (CKI-2) as phosphate donor, and they are either completely or relatively heparin insensitive. CKII corresponds to type II casein kinase due to its chromatographic properties, complex quaternary structure, nucleotide specificity (both ATP and GTP are phosphate donors), and heparin sensitivity. CKI-3 shares the following properties with type I casein kinases: it is retained by CM-Sephadex but not by DEAE-cellulose, and it consists of a monomeric protein having a molecular weight of 38,000. On the other hand, CKI-3 accepts both ATP and GTP with equal efficiency, and it is heparin sensitive (50% inhibition at 0.3 microgram/mL) like type II casein kinases. CKI-3 differs from the other three yeast casein kinases in requiring a low pH (5.5) and a high MgCl2 concentration (50 mM) for optimal activity. All four casein kinases phosphorylate their own catalytic protein at serine and threonine residues.     

Differential reactivity in the processing of [p-(halomethyl)benzoyl] formates by benzoylformate decarboxylase, a thiamin pyrophosphate dependent enzyme

A series of [p-(halomethyl)benzoyl]formates have been investigated as substrates for benzoylformate decarboxylase. These analogues vary from acting as normal substrates to acting as potent competitive inhibitors. The fluoro analogue is a substrate with Km (190 microM) and turnover number (20 s-1) similar to those of benzoylformate (Km = 340 microM; 81 s-1). The bromo analogue is a competitive inhibitor (Ki = 0.3 microM) and exhibits processing to eliminate bromide and form (p-methylbenzoyl)thiamin pyrophosphate. This modified cofactor hydrolyzes to form the p-methylbenzoate in quantitative yield. The chloro analogue [Km(app) = 21 microM] partitions between these two pathways such that 0.6% of the analogue ultimately forms p-methylbenzoate. These data are consistent with the interpretation that the leaving group potential of the halogen determines the enzymic fate of the analogue and that the potent inhibition observed for the bromo analogue is due to covalent modification of the cofactor.     

Biochemical characterization of cholesterol-3-sulfate as the sole effector for the phosphorylation of HMG1 by casein kinase I in vitro

Phosphorylation of high mobility group protein 1 (HMG1) by casein kinase I (CK-I) and potent effectors (inhibitors and activators) of this phosphorylation were investigated in vitro. We found that (i) CK-I phosphorylates specifically threonine residues on HMG1 when incubated with cholesterol-3-sulfate (CH-3S), but no phosphorylation of HMG1 is detected in the presence of other cholesterol related compounds or their sulfated derivatives; (ii) this phosphorylation is selectively inhibited by heparin, but stimulated significantly by 3',4',7-trihydroxy-isofavone at low doses (0.1-3 microM); and (iii) CH-3S directly induces a drastic conformational change in HMG1. The latter finding provides a mechanism to explain how CH-3S alone can induce the phosphorylation of HMG1 by CK-I in vitro.     

Modulation of glycogen synthase kinase activity of skeletal and smooth muscle casein kinase I by spermine

Casein kinase I (CK-I) from skeletal muscle was stimulated 2-3 fold by 0.25-1 mM spermine. The polyamine also stimulated the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase by another casein kinase purified from aortic smooth muscle [DiSalvo et al. (1986) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 136, 789-796]. Phosphopeptide maps and phosphoamino acid analysis of [32P]glycogen synthase revealed that smooth muscle casein kinase phosphorylated glycogen synthase in the same sites that undergo phosphorylation by CK-I. The stimulatory effect of spermine on glycogen synthase kinase activity of CK-I was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of all peptide sites of glycogen synthase. Increased phosphorylation was observed in both seryl and threonyl residues. Higher concentrations (4 mM) of spermine inhibited CK-I activity by about 50%. These results indicate that aortic smooth muscle casein kinase is a CK-I enzyme and that skeletal and smooth muscle CK-I can be modulated by spermine.     

A newly synthesized selective casein kinase I inhibitor, N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-chloroisoquinoline-8-sulfonamide, and affinity purification of casein kinase I from bovine testis

When screening various isoquinolinesulfonamide compounds which we synthesized, CKI-7, N-(2-amino-ethyl)-5-chloroisoquinoline-8-sulfonamide, was found to have a potent inhibitory action against casein kinase I and a much weaker effect on casein kinase II and other protein kinases. Kinetic analysis indicated that CKI-7 inhibited casein kinase I competitively with respect to ATP and that the Ki values were 8.5 microM for casein kinase I and 70 microM for casein kinase II. An affinity chromatography absorbent was synthesized by coupling CKI-8 (1-(5-chloroisoquinoline-8-sulfonyl], a derivative of CKI-7, to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose 4B. Partially purified casein kinase I from bovine testis was subjected to affinity chromatography. Analysis of the purified casein kinase I by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed a single band with molecular weight 37,000. These newly synthesized compounds, CKI-7 and CKI-8, should serve as useful tools for elucidating the biological significance of casein kinase I-mediated reactions.     

Design, synthesis, and characterization of an ATP-peptide conjugate inhibitor of protein kinase A

An ATP-peptide conjugate was synthesized as a bisubstrate analogue inhibitor of the serine/threonine kinase protein kinase A. The compound was found to be a linear, competitive inhibitor with respect to ATP substrate, exhibiting a Ki of 3.8 microM. The compound was noncompetitive with respect to peptide substrate. The inhibitor was shown to be selective for protein kinase A versus the closely related protein kinase C as well as tyrosine kinase Csk. This analysis provides new evidence for the dissociative transition state of protein serine/threonine kinases and illustrates a simple method to convert a low affinity peptide substrate to a selective and moderately potent inhibitor for these enzymes.     

Inhibition of protein kinase CK2 by anthraquinone-related compounds. A structural insight

Protein kinases play key roles in signal transduction and therefore are among the most attractive targets for drug design. The pharmacological aptitude of protein kinase inhibitors is highlighted by the observation that various diseases with special reference to cancer are because of the abnormal expression/activity of individual kinases. The resolution of the three-dimensional structure of the target kinase in complex with inhibitors is often the starting point for the rational design of this kind of drugs, some of which are already in advanced clinical trial or even in clinical practice. Here we present and discuss three new crystal structures of ATP site-directed inhibitors in complex with "casein kinase-2" (CK2), a constitutively active protein kinase implicated in a variety of cellular functions and misfunctions. With the help of theoretical calculations, we disclose some key features underlying the inhibitory efficiency of anthraquinone derivatives, outlining three different binding modes into the active site. In particular, we show that a nitro group in a hydroxyanthraquinone scaffold decreases the inhibitory constants K(i) because of electron-withdrawing and resonance effects that enhance the polarization of hydroxylic substituents in paraposition.     

K-252 compounds, novel and potent inhibitors of protein kinase C and cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases

K-252 compounds (K-252a and b isolated from Nocardiopsis sp. (1) and their synthetic derivatives) were found to inhibit cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases and protein kinase C to various extents. The inhibitions were of the competitive type with respect to ATP. K-252a was a non-selective inhibitor for these three protein kinases with Ki values 18-25 nM. K-252b showed a comparable potency for protein kinase C (Ki, 20nM), whereas inhibitory potencies for cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases were reduced. KT5720 and KT5822 selectively inhibited cAMP-dependent (Ki, 60nM) and cGMP-dependent (Ki, 2.4nM) protein kinases, respectively.     

Kinetics of ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by isolated TF1 and reconstituted TF0F1 ATPase

The rate of ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by isolated TF1 and reconstituted TF0F1 was measured as a function of the ATP concentration in the presence of inhibitors [ADP, Pi and 3'-O-(1-naphthoyl)ATP]. ATP hydrolysis can be described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Km(TF1) = 390 microM and Km (TF0F1) = 180 microM. The inhibition constants are for ADP Ki(TF1) = 20 microM and Ki(TF0F1) = 100 microM, for 3'-O-(1-naphthoyl)ATP Ki(TF1) = 150 microM and Ki(TF0F1) = 3 microM, and for Pi Ki(TF1) = 60 mM. From these results it is concluded that upon binding of TF0 to TF1 the mechanism of ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by TF1 is not changed qualitatively; however, the kinetic constants differ quantitatively.     

Differential responses of cyclic GMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases to synthetic peptide inhibitors.

The peptide Arg-Lys-Arg-Ala-Arg-Lys-Glu was synthesized and tested as an inhibitor of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase. This synthetic peptide is a non-phosphorylatable analogue of a substrate peptide corresponding to a phosphorylation site (serine-32) in histone H2B. The peptide was a competitive inhibitor of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase with respect to synthetic peptide substrates, with a Ki value of 86 microM. However, it did not inhibit phosphorylation of intact histones by cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase under any conditions tested. Arg-Lys-Arg-Ala-Arg-Lys-Glu competitively inhibited the phosphorylation of either peptides or histones by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, with similar Ki values (550 microM) for both of these substrates. The peptide Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ala-Leu-Gly, which was previously reported to be a selective inhibitor of both peptide and histone phosphorylation by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, was a poor inhibitor of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase acting on peptide substrates (Ki = 800 microM), but did not inhibit phosphorylation of histones by cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase. The selectivity of these synthetic peptide inhibitors toward either cyclic GMP-dependent or cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases is probably based on differences in the determinants of substrate specificity recognized by these two enzymes. It is concluded that histones interact differently with cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase from the way they do with the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Inhibition of casein kinase II by heparin

Casein kinase II, a cyclic nucleotide-independent protein kinase from rabbit reticulocytes, was shown to be inhibited by heparin. Heparin specifically inhibited the enzyme and had no effect on other protein kinases, including casein kinase I, the type I and II cAMP-dependent protein kinases, protease-activated kinase I, and the hemin-controlled repressor. Heparan sulfate was found to be 40-fold less effective than heparin towards casein kinase II; other acid mucopolysaccharides had little or no effect on the enzymatic activity. Steady state studies revealed that heparin acted as a competitive inhibitor with respect to the substrate, casein. A value of 20 ng/ml or about 1.4 nM was obtained for the apparent Ki. The inhibition was not reversed by ATP and varying the ATP and heparin concentrations in the assay only altered the maximum velocity.     

Purification and characterization of two casein kinases from ejaculated bovine spermatozoa.

Two protein kinases active on casein and phosvitin were partially purified from the soluble fraction of ejaculated bovine spermatozoa. They were operationally termed casein kinase A and B based on the order of their elution from a phosphocellulose column. CK-A showed an approximate molecular mass of 38 kDa, and it phosphorylated serine residues of casein and phosvitin utilizing ATP as a phosphate donor (Km 19 microM). Enzyme activity was maximal in the presence of 10 mM MgCl2, whereas it decreased in the presence of spermine, polylysine, quercetin, and NaCl (20-250 mM). CK-B seemed to have a monomeric structure of about 41 kDa; it underwent autophosphorylation and cross-reacted with polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant alpha, but not beta, subunit of human type 2 casein kinase. It phosphorylated both serine and threonine residues of casein and phosvitin, utilizing ATP (Km 12 microM) but not GTP as a phosphate donor. Threonine was more affected in the phosphorylated phosvitin than in the partially dephosphorylated substrate. CK-B was active toward the synthetic peptide Ser-(Glu)5 and calmodulin (in the latter case, in the presence of polylysine), and it was activated by spermine, polylysine, MgCl2 (30 mM), and NaCl (20-400 mM). The activity of the enzymes was not affected by cAMP, or the heat-stable inhibitor of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, or calcium.     

Inhibition of aminopeptidases by aminophosphonates

More than 30 aminophosphonates were synthesized to probe how the structural changes introduced into the phosphonic acid analogue of leucine, a potent inhibitor of cytosolic leucine aminopeptidase (Giannousis & Bartlett, 1987), affect their ability to inhibit cytosolic (EC 3.4.11.1) and microsomal (EC 3.4.11.2) aminopeptidases. Although most of the compounds studied were found to exert only a modest competitive inhibitory effect, nearly every modification of the structure of the phosphonic acid analogue of leucine was reflected in a marked difference in the affinities of these compounds for the two enzymes. [1-Amino-2-(N-alkylamino)ethyl]phosphonic acids are effective inhibitors of the microsomal enzyme, acting in a time-dependent manner. Kinetic data obtained for these inhibitors correspond to the mechanism for a biphasic slow-binding inhibition process: E + I in equilibrium E* in equilibrium E*I, in which the slow initial isomerization of the enzyme is followed by the fast formation of enzyme-inhibitor complex. The most effective inhibitor of this type was [1-amino-2-(N-cyclohexylamino)ethyl]phosphonic acid, which has a Ki value of 0.87 microM toward the microsomal aminopeptidase--a value that can be considered as equipotent with bestatin and with leucinal and hydroxamic acids, the strongest known nonpeptide inhibitors of this enzyme.