Protein kinase CK2 consists of two catalytic subunits (CK2α) and two regulatory subunits (CK2β). Here, we report the crystal structures of rat CK2α mutant (rCK2α-△C, 1—335) and CK2β (rCK2β). The overall topology of rCK2α-△C and rCK2β are very similar to the human enzyme, although large structural differences could be observed in the N-terminal domain of rCK2α-△C. Our reported structure of rCK2α-△C is in the close conformation state while the counterpart hCK2α is in the open conformation state, indi- cating the conformation of CK2α molecule has high plasticity. The structure of rCK2β represents the conformation of free CK2β. Upon CK2α binding, the C-terminal region undergoes a drastic conformational change. The major region of interaction within the interface of CK2α/CK2β may serve as a bridge to transmit the conformational change and thus regulate the activity of CK2α.
