Nanobodies targeting LexA autocleavage disclose a novel suppression strategy of SOS-response pathway.

Antimicrobial resistance threatens the eradication of infectious diseases and impairs the efficacy of available therapeutics. The bacterial SOS pathway is a conserved response triggered by genotoxic stresses and represents one of the principal mechanisms that lead to resistance. The RecA recombinase acts as a DNA-damage sensor inducing the autoproteolysis of the transcriptional repressor LexA, thereby derepressing SOS genes that mediate DNA repair, survival to chemotherapy, and hypermutation. The inhibition of such pathway represents a promising strategy for delaying the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. We report the identification, via llama immunization and phage display, of nanobodies that bind LexA with sub-micromolar affinity and block autoproteolysis, repressing SOS response in Escherichia coli. Biophysical characterization of nanobody-LexA complexes revealed that they act by trapping LexA in an inactive conformation and interfering with RecA engagement. Our studies pave the way to the development of new-generation antibiotic adjuvants for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Phosphorylation of FAM134C by CK2 controls starvation-induced ER-phagy.

Selective degradation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via autophagy (ER-phagy) is initiated by ER-phagy receptors, which facilitate the incorporation of ER fragments into autophagosomes. FAM134 reticulon family proteins (FAM134A, FAM134B, and FAM134C) are ER-phagy receptors with structural similarities and nonredundant functions. Whether they respond differentially to the stimulation of ER-phagy is unknown. Here, we describe an activation mechanism unique to FAM134C during starvation. In fed conditions, FAM134C is phosphorylated by casein kinase 2 (CK2) at critical residues flanking the LIR domain. Phosphorylation of these residues negatively affects binding affinity to the autophagy proteins LC3. During starvation, mTORC1 inhibition limits FAM134C phosphorylation by CK2, hence promoting receptor activation and ER-phagy. Using a novel tool to study ER-phagy in vivo and FAM134C knockout mice, we demonstrated the physiological relevance of FAM134C phosphorylation during starvation-induced ER-phagy in liver lipid metabolism. These data provide a mechanistic insight into ER-phagy regulation and an example of autophagy selectivity during starvation.

Mechanism of CK2 Inhibition by a Ruthenium-Based Polyoxometalate.

CK2 is a Ser/Thr protein kinase involved in many cellular processes such as gene expression, cell cycle progression, cell growth and differentiation, embryogenesis, and apoptosis. Aberrantly high CK2 activity is widely documented in cancer, but the enzyme is also involved in several other pathologies, such as diabetes, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and viral infections, including COVID-19. Over the last years, a large number of small-molecules able to inhibit the CK2 activity have been reported, mostly acting with an ATP-competitive mechanism. Polyoxometalates (POMs), are metal-oxide polyanionic clusters of various structures and dimensions, with unique chemical and physical properties. POMs were identified as nanomolar CK2 inhibitors, but their mechanism of inhibition and CK2 binding site remained elusive. Here, we present the biochemical and biophysical characterizing of the interaction of CK2α with a ruthenium-based polyoxometalate, [Ru4(µ-OH)2(µ-O)4(H2O)4 (γ-SiW10O36)2]10- (Ru4POM), a potent inhibitor of CK2. Using analytical Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), and SAXS we were able to unravel the mechanism of inhibition of Ru4POM. Ru4POM binds to the positively-charged substrate binding region of the enzyme through electrostatic interactions, triggering the dimerization of the enzyme which consequently is inactivated. Ru4POM is the first non-peptide molecule showing a substrate-competitive mechanism of inhibition for CK2. On the basis of SAXS data, a structural model of the inactivated (CK2α)2(Ru4POM)2 complex is presented.

Targeting CK2 in cancer: a valuable strategy or a waste of time?

CK2 is a protein kinase involved in several human diseases (ranging from neurological and cardiovascular diseases to autoimmune disorders, diabetes, and infections, including COVID-19), but its best-known implications are in cancer, where it is considered a pharmacological target. Several CK2 inhibitors are available and clinical trials are underway in different cancer types. Recently, the suitability of CK2 as a broad anticancer target has been questioned by the finding that a newly developed compound, named SGC-CK2-1, which is more selective than any other known CK2 inhibitor, is poorly effective in reducing cell growth in different cancer lines, prompting the conclusion that the anticancer efficacy of CX-4945, the commonly used clinical-grade CK2 inhibitor, is to be attributed to its off-target effects. Here we perform a detailed scrutiny of published studies on CK2 targeting and a more in-depth analysis of the available data on SGC-CK2-1 vs. CX-4945 efficacy, providing a different perspective about the actual reliance of cancer cells on CK2. Collectively taken, our arguments would indicate that the pretended dispensability of CK2 in cancer is far from having been proved and warn against premature conclusions, which could discourage ongoing investigations on a potentially valuable drug target.

Protein kinase CK2: a potential therapeutic target for diverse human diseases.

CK2 is a constitutively active Ser/Thr protein kinase, which phosphorylates hundreds of substrates, controls several signaling pathways, and is implicated in a plethora of human diseases. Its best documented role is in cancer, where it regulates practically all malignant hallmarks. Other well-known functions of CK2 are in human infections; in particular, several viruses exploit host cell CK2 for their life cycle. Very recently, also SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has been found to enhance CK2 activity and to induce the phosphorylation of several CK2 substrates (either viral and host proteins). CK2 is also considered an emerging target for neurological diseases, inflammation and autoimmune disorders, diverse ophthalmic pathologies, diabetes, and obesity. In addition, CK2 activity has been associated with cardiovascular diseases, as cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, and cardiac hypertrophy. The hypothesis of considering CK2 inhibition for cystic fibrosis therapies has been also entertained for many years. Moreover, psychiatric disorders and syndromes due to CK2 mutations have been recently identified. On these bases, CK2 is emerging as an increasingly attractive target in various fields of human medicine, with the advantage that several very specific and effective inhibitors are already available. Here, we review the literature on CK2 implication in different human pathologies and evaluate its potential as a pharmacological target in the light of the most recent findings.

How can a traffic light properly work if it is always green? The paradox of CK2 signaling.

CK2 is a constitutively active protein kinase that assuring a constant level of phosphorylation to its numerous substrates supports many of the most important biological functions. Nevertheless, its activity has to be controlled and adjusted in order to cope with the varying needs of a cell, and several examples of a fine-tune regulation of its activity have been described. More importantly, aberrant regulation of this enzyme may have pathological consequences, e.g. in cancer, chronic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and viral infection. Our review aims at summarizing our current knowledge about CK2 regulation. In the first part, we have considered the most important stimuli shown to affect protein kinase CK2 activity/expression. In the second part, we focus on the molecular mechanisms by which CK2 can be regulated, discussing controversial aspects and future perspectives.

Protein kinase CK2 inhibition as a pharmacological strategy.

CK2 is a constitutively active Ser/Thr protein kinase which phosphorylates hundreds of substrates. Since they are primarily related to survival and proliferation pathways, the best-known pathological roles of CK2 are in cancer, where its targeting is currently being considered as a possible therapy. However, CK2 activity has been found instrumental in many other human pathologies, and its inhibition will expectably be extended to different purposes in the near future. Here, after a description of CK2 features and implications in diseases, we analyze the different inhibitors and strategies available to target CK2, and update the results so far obtained by their in vivo application.

Contribution of the CK2 Catalytic Isoforms α and α' to the Glycolytic Phenotype of Tumor Cells.

CK2 is a Ser/Thr protein kinase overexpressed in many cancers. It is usually present in cells as a tetrameric enzyme, composed of two catalytic (α or α') and two regulatory (ß) subunits, but it is active also in its monomeric form, and the specific role of the different isoforms is largely unknown. CK2 phosphorylates several substrates related to the uncontrolled proliferation, motility, and survival of cancer cells. As a consequence, tumor cells are addicted to CK2, relying on its activity more than healthy cells for their life, and exploiting it for developing multiple oncological hallmarks. However, little is known about CK2 contribution to the metabolic rewiring of cancer cells. With this study we aimed at shedding some light on it, especially focusing on the CK2 role in the glycolytic onco-phenotype. By analyzing neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma cell lines depleted of either one (α) or the other (α') CK2 catalytic subunit, we also aimed at disclosing possible pro-tumor functions which are specific of a CK2 isoform. Our results suggest that both CK2 α and α' contribute to cell proliferation, survival and tumorigenicity. The analyzed metabolic features disclosed a role of CK2 in tumor metabolism, and suggest prominent functions for CK2 α isoform. Results were also confirmed by CK2 pharmacological inhibition. Overall, our study provides new information on the mechanism of cancer cells addiction to CK2 and on its isoform-specific functions, with fundamental implications for improving future therapeutic strategies based on CK2 targeting.

A novel class of selective CK2 inhibitors targeting its open hinge conformation.

Protein kinase CK2 sustains cancer growth, especially in hematological malignancies. Its inhibitor SRPIN803, based on a 6-methylene-5-imino-1,3,4-thiadiazolopyrimidin-7-one scaffold, showed notable specificity. Our synthesis of the initially proposed SRPIN803 resulted in its constitutional isomer SRPIN803-revised, where the 2-cyano-2-propenamide group does not cyclise and fuse to the thiadiazole ring. Its crystallographic structure in complex with CK2α identifies the structural determinants of the reported specificity. SRPIN803-revised explores the CK2 open hinge conformation, extremely rare among kinases, also interacting with side chains from this region. Its optimization lead to the more potent compound 4, which inhibits endocellular CK2, significantly affects viability of tumour cells and shows remarkable selectivity on a panel of 320 kinases.

Effects of CK2ß subunit down-regulation on Akt signalling in HK-2 renal cells.

The PI3K/Akt pathway is interconnected to protein kinase CK2, which directly phosphorylates Akt1 at S129. We have previously found that, in HK-2 renal cells, downregulation of the CK2 regulatory subunit ß (shCK2ß cells) reduces S129 Akt phosphorylation. Here, we investigated in more details how the different CK2 isoforms impact on Akt and other signaling pathways. We found that all CK2 isoforms phosphorylate S129 in vitro, independently of CK2ß. However, in HK-2 cells the dependence on CK2ß was confirmed by rescue experiments (CK2ß re-expression in shCK2ß HK-2 cells), suggesting the presence of additional components that drive Akt recognition by CK2 in cells. We also found that CK2ß downregulation altered the phosphorylation ratio between the two canonical Akt activation sites (pT308 strongly reduced, pS473 slightly increased) in HK-2 cells. Similar results were found in other cell lines where CK2ß was stably knocked out by CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The phosphorylation of rpS6 S235/S236, a downstream effector of Akt, was strongly reduced in shCK2ß HK-2 cells, while the phosphorylation of two Akt direct targets, PRAS40 T246 and GSK3ß S9, was increased. Differently to what observed in response to CK2ß down-regulation, the chemical inhibition of CK2 activity by cell treatment with the specific inhibitor CX-4945 reduced both the Akt canonical sites, pT308 and pS473. In CX-4945-treated cells, the changes in rpS6 pS235/S236 and GSK3ß pS9 mirrored those induced by CK2ß knock-down (reduction and slight increase, respectively); on the contrary, the effect on PRAS40 pT246 phosphorylation was sharply different, being strongly reduced by CK2 inhibition; this suggests that this Akt target might be dependent on Akt pS473 status in HK-2 cells. Since PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2/p90rsk pathways are known to be interconnected and both modulated by CK2, with GSK3ß pS9 representing a convergent point, we investigated if ERK1/2/p90rsk signaling was affected by CK2ß knock-down and CX-4945 treatment in HK-2 cells. We found that p90rsk was insensitive to any kind of CK2 targeting; therefore, the observation that, similarly, GSK3ß pS9 was not reduced by CK2 blockade suggests that GSK3ß phosphorylation is mainly under the control of p90rsk in these cells. However, we found that the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 reduced GSK3ß pS9, and concomitantly decreased Snail1 levels (a GSK3ß target and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal transition marker). The effects of LY294002 were observed also in CK2ß-downregulated cells, suggesting that reducing GSK3ß pS9 could be a strategy to control Snail1 levels in any situation where CK2ß is defective, as possibly occurring in cancer cells.

Biochemical and cellular mechanism of protein kinase CK2 inhibition by deceptive curcumin.

Protein kinase CK2 is an antiapoptotic cancer-sustaining protein. Curcumin, reported previously as a CK2 inhibitor, is too bulky to be accommodated in the CK2 active site and rapidly degrades in solution generating various ATP-mimetic inhibitors; with a detailed comparative analysis, by means of both protein crystallography and enzymatic inhibition, ferulic acid was identified as the principal curcumin degradation product responsible for CK2 inhibition. The other curcumin derivatives vanillin, feruloylmethane and coniferyl aldehyde are weaker CK2 inhibitors. The high instability of curcumin in standard buffered solutions flags this compound, which is included in many commercial libraries, as a possible source of misleading interpretations, as was the case for CK2. Ferulic acid does not show any cytotoxicity and any inhibition of cellular CK2, due to its poor cellular permeability. However, curcumin acts as a prodrug in the cellular context, by generating its degradation products inside the treated cells, thus rescuing CK2 inhibition and consequently inducing cell death. Through the intracellular release of its degradation products, curcumin is expected to affect various target families; here, we identify the first bromodomain of BRD4 as a new target for those compounds. DATABASE: Structural data are available in the PDB database under the accession numbers 6HOP (CK2α/curcumin), 6HOQ (CK2α/ferulic acid), 6HOR (CK2α/feruloylmethane), 6HOT (CK2α/ferulic aldehyde), 6HOU (CK2α/vanillin) and 6HOV (BRD4/ferulic acid).

The protein kinase CK2 contributes to the malignant phenotype of cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a particularly aggressive hepatobiliary malignancy, for which the molecular mechanisms underlying the malignant phenotype are still poorly understood, and novel and effective therapeutic strategies are limited. The pro-survival protein kinase CK2 is frequently overexpressed in cancer and is receiving increasing interest as an anti-tumor drug target. Its precise role in CCA biology is still largely unknown. Here we show that expression of the CK2α and α' catalytic subunits and of the ß regulatory subunit is increased in human CCA samples. Increased expression of CK2 subunits was shown in CCA cell lines compared to non-transformed cholangiocytes. We used chemical inhibition of CK2 and genetic modification by CRISPR/Cas9 to explore the contribution of CK2 to the malignant phenotype of CCA cells. Disruption of CK2 activity results in cell death through apoptosis, reduced invasion and migration potential, and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Importantly, CCA cells with a reduced CK2 activity are more sensitive to chemotherapy. Altogether, our results demonstrate that CK2 significantly contributes to increased proliferative potential and augmented growth of CCA cells and indicate the rationale for its targeting as a promising pharmacologic strategy for cholangiocarcinoma.

Role of protein kinase CK2 in antitumor drug resistance.

Drug resistance represents the major reason of pharmacological treatment failure. It is supported by a broad spectrum of mechanisms, whose molecular bases have been frequently correlated to aberrant protein phosphorylation. CK2 is a constitutively active protein kinase which phosphorylates hundreds of substrates; it is expressed in all cells, but its level is commonly found higher in cancer cells, where it plays anti-apoptotic, pro-migration and pro-proliferation functions. Several evidences support a role for CK2 in processes directly responsible of drug resistance, such as drug efflux and DNA repair; moreover, CK2 intervenes in signaling pathways which are crucial to evade drug response (as PI3K/AKT/PTEN, NF-κB, ß-catenin, hedgehog signaling, p53), and controls the activity of chaperone machineries fundamental in resistant cells. Interestingly, a panel of specific and effective inhibitors of CK2 is available, and several examples are known of their efficacy in resistant cells, with synergistic effect when used in combination with conventional drugs, also in vivo. Here we analyze and discuss evidences supporting the hypothesis that CK2 targeting represents a valuable strategy to overcome drug resistance.

PreS1 peptide-functionalized gold nanostructures with SERRS tags for efficient liver cancer cell targeting.

Early detection is the most effective mean of improving prognosis for many fatal diseases such as cancer. In this context, the Surface Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering (SERRS) technique is being proposed as alternative to fluorescent methods in detection of biomarkers, because SERRS nanostructures are bright as fluorescent tags but more stable and clearly detectable using the narrow Raman "fingerprints" of a suitable reporter. Here we show that biocompatible SERRS active gold nanostructures, functionalized with an engineered PreS1 peptide (AuNP@PEG-PreS1), detect the presence of the SerpinB3 antigen overexpressed on liver tumor cells, a biomarker of the onset of liver cell carcinomatous transformation. A proper engineering of the targeting unit, linked to the nanostructure by a polymer chain, affords a sensitivity and specificity larger than 80%, at subnanomolar concentrations. Taking into account the high sensitivity of SERRS and that SB3 overexpression is an early event in liver cell carcinomatous transformation, AuNP@PEG-PreS1 nanostructures could be used in routine diagnostic activities, to improve the accuracy of HCC detection in particular in patients with chronic liver diseases.

Phosphorylation of p23-1 cochaperone by protein kinase CK2 affects root development in Arabidopsis.

Root growth is a fundamental process in plants and assures nutrient and water uptake required for efficient photosynthesis and metabolism. Postembryonic development of roots is controlled by the functionality of the meristem. Several hormones and signaling molecules regulate the size of the meristem, and among them, auxins play a major role. Protein kinase CK2, along with the chaperone protein HSP90, has been found to be involved in the regulation of auxin transport. Here, we show that p23-1, a cochaperone of HSP90, is phosphorylated by CK2 in Arabidopsis. We identified Ser201 as the major CK2 target site in p23-1 and demonstrated that phosphorylation of this site is necessary for normal root development. Moreover, we shed light on the nature of CK2 in Arabidopsis, showing that the three catalytic isoforms, CK2 αA, αB and αC, are proteins of approximately 40 kDa. Our results increase knowledge of the connection among HSP90, p23-1 and CK2 in Arabidopsis, suggesting the existence of a possible common root development mechanism controlled by these signaling molecules.

Up-Regulation of the Alpha Prime Subunit of Protein Kinase CK2 as a Marker of Fast Proliferation in GL261 Cultured Cells.

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most prevalent malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The preclinical glioblastoma model GL261 is widely used for investigating new therapeutic strategies. GL261 cultured cells are used for assessing preliminary in vitro data for this model although very little is known about the molecular characteristics of this cell line. Protein Kinase CK2 is a pleiotropic serine-threonine kinase and its inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy for GB treatment. In our group we follow treatment response with CK2 inhibitors in vivo using the GL261 murine model. For that, it is of our interest to assess the differential expression of α, α', ß CK2 subunits as well as CK2 activity in the GL261 GB model. CK2α' expression changed along the growth curve of GL261 cells, undergoing downregulation in postconfluent phase cells, whereas CK2α and CK2ß expression remained essentially unchanged. Furthermore, a marked decrease in CK2 activity in slowly proliferating postconfluent phase GL261 cells was observed. Finally, CK2α' expression in orthotopic GL261 tumors was intermediate between CK2α' expression found in cultured cells in exponentially growing or postconfluent phase, reflecting the heterogeneous nature of GL261 tumours growing in vivo. The results obtained suggest that, in the GL261 cell line, CK2α' could play a specific role in highly proliferative cells. Also, the decrease in CK2 activity in slowly proliferating GL261 cells could imply a differential susceptibility to subunit-specific CK2 inhibitors in this cell line, although further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

A V1143F mutation in the neuronal-enriched isoform 2 of the PMCA pump is linked with ataxia.

The fine regulation of intracellular calcium is fundamental for all eukaryotic cells. In neurons, Ca2+ oscillations govern the synaptic development, the release of neurotransmitters and the expression of several genes. Alterations of Ca2+ homeostasis were found to play a pivotal role in neurodegenerative progression. The maintenance of proper Ca2+ signaling in neurons demands the continuous activity of Ca2+ pumps and exchangers to guarantee physiological cytosolic concentration of the cation. The plasma membrane Ca2+ATPases (PMCA pumps) play a key role in the regulation of Ca2+ handling in selected sub-plasma membrane microdomains. Among the four basic PMCA pump isoforms existing in mammals, isoforms 2 and 3 are particularly enriched in the nervous system. In humans, genetic mutations in the PMCA2 gene in association with cadherin 23 mutations have been linked to hearing loss phenotypes, while those occurring in the PMCA3 gene were associated with X-linked congenital cerebellar ataxias. Here we describe a novel missense mutation (V1143F) in the calmodulin binding domain (CaM-BD) of the PMCA2 protein. The mutant pump was present in a patient showing congenital cerebellar ataxia but no overt signs of deafness, in line with the absence of mutations in the cadherin 23 gene. Biochemical and molecular dynamics studies on the mutated PMCA2 have revealed that the V1143F substitution alters the binding of calmodulin to the CaM-BD leading to impaired Ca2+ ejection.

The importance of negative determinants as modulators of CK2 targeting. The lesson of Akt2 S131.

CK2 is a pleiotropic S/T protein kinase (formerly known as casein kinase 2) which is attracting increasing interest as therapeutic target, and the identification of its substrates is a crucial step in determining its involvement in different pathological conditions. We recently found that S131 of Akt2 (homologous to the well established CK2 target S129 of Akt1) is not phosphorylated by CK2 either in vitro or in vivo, although the consensus sequence recognized by CK2 (S/T-x-x-E/D/pS/pT) is conserved in it. Here, by exploiting synthetic peptides, in cell transfection experiments, and computational analysis, we show that a single sequence element, a T at position n+1, hampers phosphorylation, causing an α-helix structure organization which prevents the recognition of its own consensus by CK2. Our results highlight the role of negative determinants as crucial modulators of CK2 targeting and corroborate the concept that Akt1 and Akt2 display isoform specific features. Experiments with synthetic peptides suggest that Akt2 S131 could be phosphorylated by kinases of the Plk (Polo-like kinase) family, which are insensitive to the presence of the n+1 T. The low phylogenetic conservation of the Akt2 sequence around S131, as opposed to the extremely well-conserved Akt1 homologous sequence, would indicate a dominant positive role in the selective pressure only for the Akt1 phosphoacceptor site committed to undergo phosphorylation by CK2. By contrast, Akt2 S131 may mediate the response to specific physio/pathological conditions, being consequently shielded against basal CK2 targeting.

Under-expression of CK2ß subunit in ccRCC represents a complementary biomarker of p-STAT3 Ser727 that correlates with patient survival.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common and aggressive subtype of renal cancer. STAT3 pathway is altered in these tumors and p-STAT3 Ser727 is an independent prognostic factor for ccRCC. Protein kinase CK2 is altered in different types of tumors and overexpression of CK2α is considered predictive of bad prognosis and metastatic risk. CK2 subunits analyses in ccRCC samples showed increased CK2α/α' nuclear content in all cases, but decreased cytosolic CK2ß (CK2ßcyt) levels in the more advanced tumors. Stable downregulation of CK2ß in renal proximal tubular (HK-2) and clear cell adenocarcinoma (786-O) cells triggered changes in E-cadherin, vimentin and Snail1 protein levels indicative of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and increased HIF-α. Moreover, CK2ß was required in order to observe STAT3 Ser727 phosphorylation in HK-2 but not in 786-O cells. We also observed that CK2ß improved the prognostic value of p-STAT3 Ser727, as CK2ßcyt>41 (median value) discriminates patients free of disease for a period of 10 years upon surgery, from those with CK2ßcyt<41, when p-STAT3 Ser727levels are low. We conclude that CK2ß down-regulation might represent a mechanism to support EMT and angiogenesis and that CK2ßcyt levels are instrumental to refine prognosis of ccRCC patients with low p-STAT3 Ser727 levels.

Cross-talk between the CK2 and AKT signaling pathways in cancer.

CK2 and AKT display a high degree of cross-regulation of their respective functions, both directly, through physical interaction and phosphorylation, and indirectly, through an intense cross-talk of key downstream effectors, ultimately leading to sustained AKT activation. Being CK2 and AKT attractive targets for therapeutic intervention, here we would like to emphasize how AKT and CK2 might influence cell fate through their complex isoform-specific and contextual-dependent cross-talk, to the extent that such functional interplay should be considered when devising therapies that target one or both these key signaling kinases.