ROCK2-Specific Inhibitor KD025 Suppresses Adipocyte Differentiation by Inhibiting Casein Kinase 2

Abstract

KD025, a ROCK2 isoform-specific inhibitor, has an anti-adipogenic activity which is not mediated by ROCK2 inhibition. To identify the target, we searched binding targets of KD025 by using the KINOMEscan™ screening platform, and we identified casein kinase 2 (CK2) as a novel target. KD025 showed comparable binding affinity to CK2α (Kd = 128 nM). By contrast, CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 and ROCK inhibitor fasudil did not show such cross-reactivity. In addition, KD025 effectively inhibited CK2 at a nanomolar concentration (IC50 = 50 nM). We examined if the inhibitory effect of KD025 on adipocyte differentiation is through the inhibition of CK2. Both CX-4945 and KD025 suppressed the generation of lipid droplets and the expression of proadipogenic genes Pparg and Cebpa in 3T3-L1 cells during adipocyte differentiation. Fasudil exerted no significant effect on the quantity of lipid droplets, but another ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 increased the expression of Pparg and Cebpa. Both CX-4945 and KD025 acted specifically in the middle stage (days 1–3) but were ineffective when treated at days 0–1 or the late stages, indicating that CX-4945 and KD025 may regulate the same target, CK2. The mRNA and protein levels of CK2α and CK2β generally decreased in 3T3-L1 cells at day 2 but recovered thereafter. Other well-known CK2 inhibitors DMAT and quinalizarin inhibited effectively the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Taken together, the results of this study confirmed that KD025 inhibits ROCK2 and CK2, and that the inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation is through the inhibition of CK2. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.