Evaluation of CK2 inhibitor (E)-3-(2,3,4,5-tetrabromophenyl)acrylic acid (TBCA) in regulation of platelet function

Casein Kinase II (CK2) is a serine/threonine kinase which is expressed in platelets. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a substrate of CK2 and antagonizes PI 3-kinase-mediated pathways by dephosphorylating phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3). Since the role of CK2 and its signaling mechanism in platelet activation is not understood, we have examined whether CK2 plays an important role in agonist-induced platelet functional responses through the regulation of PI 3-kinase pathways by using a new class of highly selective CK2 inhibitor TBCA [(E)-3-(2,3,4,5-tetrabromophenyl)acrylic acid]. TBCA dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation and secretion induced by various agonists including 2-MeSADP, AYPGKF, SFLLRN, and CRP. Extent of platelet response inhibited by TBCA was similar to the extent of inhibition induced by PI 3-kinase inhibitors. CK2 regulated phosphorylation of PTEN as the inhibition of CK2 resulted in the inhibition of AYPGKF-induced PTEN phosphorylation. Agonist-induced thromboxane A2 (TxA2) generation and ERK phosphorylation were significantly inhibited by TBCA. TBCA also inhibited phosphorylation of PDK1, Akt, and GSK3β induced by AYPGKF. However, CK2 inhibition had no effect on AYPGKF-induced phosphorylation of PKC substrate plekstrin, demonstrating the selective action of TBCA through Gi-mediated PI 3-kinase pathways. Finally, platelet spreading on immobilized fibrinogen surface and clot retraction mediated by integrin αIIbβ3 signaling were significantly inhibited in the presence of TBCA. We conclude that CK2 plays a key role in platelet aggregation, secretion, TxA2 generation, and Akt and ERK phosphorylation, through the regulation of PI 3-kinase pathways. Moreover, CK2 is involved in αIIbβ3-mediated outside-in signaling in platelets.