R A Faust1, S Tawfic, A T Davis, L A Bubash, K Ahmed. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA. rafsh@hscmail.mcc.virginia.eud
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) overexpress the protein kinase CK2, and elevated CK2 activity correlates with aggressive tumor behavior and poor clinical outcome. We therefore investigated whether interference with CK2 expression would inhibit SCCHN cell growth in vitro. METHODS: We targeted the catalytic (alpha) subunit of CK2 using an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) strategy. Human Ca9-22 cells derived from SCCHN were transfected with CK2-alpha sense, nonsense, or antisense ODN; CK2 activity was measured; and the effect on CK2 activity and on cell growth was determined. RESULTS: Transfection of Ca9-22 cells with antisense CK2-alpha ODN resulted in significantly decreased CK2 kinase activity associated with nuclear chromatin and in dose-dependent growth inhibition of Ca9-22 cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Interference with the protein kinase CK2 signal in SCCHN cells may offer a novel anticancer strategy for this malignancy. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
BACKGROUND:Humansquamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) overexpress the protein kinase CK2, and elevated CK2 activity correlates with aggressive tumor behavior and poor clinical outcome. We therefore investigated whether interference with CK2 expression would inhibit SCCHN cell growth in vitro. METHODS: We targeted the catalytic (alpha) subunit of CK2 using an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) strategy. Human Ca9-22 cells derived from SCCHN were transfected with CK2-alpha sense, nonsense, or antisense ODN; CK2 activity was measured; and the effect on CK2 activity and on cell growth was determined. RESULTS: Transfection of Ca9-22 cells with antisense CK2-alphaODN resulted in significantly decreased CK2 kinase activity associated with nuclear chromatin and in dose-dependent growth inhibition of Ca9-22 cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Interference with the protein kinase CK2 signal in SCCHN cells may offer a novel anticancer strategy for this malignancy. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.