Mining CK2 in cancer.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Cancer cells proliferate uncontrollably and, many cases, spread to other parts of the body. A protein historically involved in cancer is protein kinase CK2. CK2 is a serine-threonine kinase that has been involved in cell growth, cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. CK2 functions as an oncogene when overexpressed in mouse tissues, and can synergize with known oncogenes, such as ras, to induce cell transformation in cells in culture. CK2, typically the CK2α protein, is found elevated in a number of human tumors. However, we have little information on CK2α' and CK2β proteins, and scarce information on CK2 gene transcript expression. Here, we explore the expression of CK2 transcripts in primary tumor tissues using the database Oncomine in the six cancers with the highest mortality in the U.S.A. In addition, we studied the correlation between CK2 expression and overall survival using the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database in breast, ovarian, and lung cancers. We found widespread upregulation in the expression of CK2 genes in primary tumor tissues. However, we found underexpression of CK2α' transcripts in some tumors, increased CK2β transcripts in some invasive tumors, and deregulation of CK2 transcripts in some tumor precursors. There was also correlation between CK2 expression levels and patient survival. These data provides additional evidence for CK2 as a biomarker for cancer studies and as a target for cancer therapy

CK2 gene analysis in lung cancer (Oncomine database).

<p>Box plots derived from gene expression data in Oncomine comparing expression of a specific CK2 gene in normal (left plot) and lung cancer tissue (right plot). Only lung adenocarcinoma is shown.</p

CK2 genes in breast cancer (Kaplan-Meier Plotter).

<p>Kaplan-Meier plots showing overall survival in lung adenocarcinoma. In red: patients with expression above the median and in black, patients with expressions below the median. CK2α, p = 3.1 10⁻⁸; CK2αP, p = 3.9 10⁻⁴; CK2α', p = 4.6 10⁻³; CK2β, p = 2.8 10⁻¹⁰.</p

Changes in CK2 gene expression in non-neoplastic colon adenomas.

<p>Different subtypes of colon adenomas are analyzed and p-values, fold changes, and datasets are included.</p><p>Changes in CK2 gene expression in non-neoplastic colon adenomas.</p

Changes in CK2 gene expression in lung cancer.

<p>Different subtypes of lung cancer are analyzed and p-values, fold changes, and datasets are included.</p><p>Changes in CK2 gene expression in lung cancer.</p

CK2 genes in ovarian cancer (Kaplan-Meier Plotter).

<p>Kaplan-Meier plots showing overall survival in ovarian cancer. In red: patients with expression above the median and in black, patients with expressions below the median. The CK2 genes and corresponding p-values are listed. CK2α, p = 8.9 10⁻⁶; CK2αP, p = 0.034; CK2α', p = 0.45; CK2β, p = 0.12.</p

Changes in CK2 gene expression in ovarian cancer.

<p>Different subtypes of ovarian cancer are analyzed and p-values, fold changes, and datasets are included.</p><p>Changes in CK2 gene expression in ovarian cancer.</p

CK2 gene analysis in colorectal cancer (Oncomine database).

<p>Box plots derived from gene expression data in Oncomine comparing expression of specific CK2 genes in in normal plot (left plot) and in colorectal cancer tissue (right plot). Oncomine box plots were retrieved from rectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas.</p

Overall Survivability as an effect of High Gene Expression Levels.

<p>Overall Survivability as an effect of High Gene Expression Levels.</p

Changes in CK2 gene expression in prostate cancer.

<p>Different subtypes of prostate cancer are analyzed and p-values, fold changes, and datasets are included.</p><p>Changes in CK2 gene expression in prostate cancer.</p