Abstract 4013: Functional analysis of Bcr-Abl-dependent phosphorylation of SOCSs

Abstract

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that constitutive activation of JAK/STAT (Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription) signaling is required for efficient transformation by the Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV), which results from the expression of the v-Abl oncogene. Although the activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway in cells expressing BCR-ABL still remains controversial, there is increasing evidence that deregulation of the JAK or STAT activity plays an important role in BCR-ABL malignant transformation. The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are inhibitors of Jak kinases and as such are critically involved in a negative feedback loop of Jak/STAT signal transduction pathway. The mechanism by which Abl oncogene bypasses SOCS negative regulation remains poorly defined. Here, we found that co-expression of BCR-ABL with some SOCS proteins resulted in phosphorylation of SOCSs. Moreover, we observed that BCR-ABL-dependent phosphorylation of SOCSs altered SOCS function at least at two levels. One involves alteration of direct interaction of SOCSs with JAKs, which maintains JAK kinase activity. The other level involves inhibition of interaction of SOCS box with the Elongin BC complex, which disrupted the formation of E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that mediates proteosomal degradation of JAK kinases. Together, these results suggest that the BCR-ABL may regulate the inhibitory function of SOCSs through mediating phosphorylation of SOCS proteins. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4013.