casein-kinase-ii and Cognition-Disorders

Data on the nuclear cascade of signal transduction, including protein kinase CK2 (PKCK2), transcription factor HMG14 and chromatin myosin-like proteins, are generalized with regard for the modern understanding of mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. The role of the neurospecific isoform and subunit structure of PKCK2, of the individual subunit autophosphorylation of PKCK2, of phosphorylation of substrate-proteins in the enzyme activity and of conformation transformations of chromatin is examined. Data on changes in the CK2-induced cascade and synaptic plasticity in learning, on age-related amnesia and on cognitive deficits induced by ethanol and chloridine in rat embryos are presented. The prospects for using modulators PKCK2, 4,5-di(N-methylcarbamoyl)-l-alkyl-imidazoles, as potential nootropics are discussed.

Topics: Animals; Casein Kinase II; Cognition Disorders; Memory Disorders; Neuronal Plasticity; Oxidative Phosphorylation; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Rats; Signal Transduction

Casein kinase II (CK II) plays an important role in serine/threonine dependent protein phosphorylation. In brain it is associated with long term potentiation besides its involvement in DNA, RNA and protein metabolism. Ethanol has been shown to induce cognitive impairment and affects DNA, RNA and protein metabolism at various steps. Since CK II is central in all these events, which are specifically affected by ethanol, the role of nuclear CK II is investigated in the present study. Total nuclear casein kinase activity was unaffected while heparin sensitive nuclear casein kinase II activity showed a 30% decrease in the brain from chronic alcohol fed rats. Cytosolic CK II activity was also unaffected. Immunological detection by western analysis using CK II antibodies showed no alteration in the quantity of enzyme. The decrease in nuclear casein kinase II might be responsible for ethanol induced cognitive impairment in the brain.

Topics: Animals; Brain; Casein Kinase II; Cell Nucleus; Cognition Disorders; DNA-Binding Proteins; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Ethanol; Female; Molecular Weight; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Rats; Rats, Wistar