The ${\beta}$ Subunit of CKII Interacts with the Lysosomal Protease Cathepsin L

Protein kinase CKII (CKII) is a protein Ser/Thr kinase that is ubiquitously distributed in eukaryotic cells. Although it has been suggested that CKII plays an critical role in cell growth and proliferation, its functional significance and regulation in the cells remain poorly understood. To investigate the exact biological function of CKII, we have identified proteins that interact with the subunits of CKII using the twohybrid system. In this report, we have identified cathepsin L, a lysosomal protease, as a cellular protein capable of interacting with the ${\beta}$ subunit of CKII. Cathepsin L does not interact with the ${\alpha}$ subunit of CKII, supporting the idea that the ${\beta}$ subunit can mediate the interaction of CKII with target proteins. We have found that cathepsin L has several putative CKII phosphorylation sites including Thr-84, Ser-160, Ser-270, Thr-288, and Ser-301. These data suggest that CKII is a possible protein kinase for cathepsin L phosphorylation.