The research team of Professor Hyeong-ho Yi and Yeon-gyu Yu from the Department of Bio & Nano Chemistry published a study entitled ‘Structural and functional studies on the regulation mechanism of protein kinase CK2 by IP6 and Nopp140’ in the online Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on November 11th. PNAS is a prestigious international journal that publishes outstanding academic achievements throughout all fields of science, and this research achievement is being introduced in BRIC as a research achievement that brightens Korea.

In summary of the study, the researchers proved the regulation mechanism of protein kinase CK2 by the phosphorylated sugar molecules IP6 and unstructured proteins Nopp140 for the first time. Especially, the three-dimensional structure of the CK2 protein- IP6 molecule conjugates was proved through X-ray crystallography while revealing that Nopp140 and IP6 competitively controls vitalization of CK2.

Such research outcome can suggest the development of anti-cancer drug in a new form and especially, this study is expected to contribute greatly to the research on the function of unstructured proteins that is one of unexplored research fields.