CK2α′ drives lung cancer metastasis by targeting brms1 nuclear export and degradation

Breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1) is decreased in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumors, and its loss correlates with increased metastases. We show that BRMS1 is posttranslationally regulated by TNF-induced casein kinase 2 catalytic subunit (CK2α′) phosphorylation of nuclear BRMS1 on serine 30 (S30), resulting in 14-3-3ϵ-mediated nuclear exportation, increased BRMS1 cytosolic expression, and ubiquitin-proteasome-induced BRMS1 degradation. Using our in vivo orthotopic mouse model of lung cancer metastases, we found that mutation of S30 in BRMS1 or the use of the CK2- specific small-molecule inhibitor CX4945 abrogates CK2α′- induced cell migration and invasion and decreases NSCLC metastasis by 60-fold. Analysis of 160 human NSCLC specimens confirmed that tumor CK2α′ and cytoplasmic BRMS1 expression levels are associated with increased tumor recurrence, metastatic foci, and reduced disease-free survival. Collectively, we identify a therapeutically exploitable posttranslational mechanism by which CK2α-mediated degradation of BRMS1 promotes metastases in lung cancer.