Kinomics Screening Identifies Aberrant Phosphorylation of CDC25C in FLT3-ITD-positive AML

Background/aim: The presence of FLT3-Internal tandem duplications (ITDs) in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with a dismal prognosis. Altered cell-cycle activity has been reported in FLT3-ITD-positive AML; however, the mechanisms by which this oncogene influences cell-cycle activity remained so far elusive.

Materials and methods: A phospho-kinomic screen was used to identify downstream effectors of FLT3-ITD. Validation and functional characterization was performed by western blotting, cell-cycle analysis and apoptosis assays.

Results: We identified aberrant phosphorylation of CDC25C-T48 in FLT3-ITD mutated cells. Forced expression of CDC25C affected cell-cycle progression but did not affect sensitivity to cellular stress.

Conclusion: Depending on the oncogenic background, CDC25C may reveal protective or oncogenic functions. Our results identify CDC25C as a downstream target of the mutated tyrosine kinase FLT3-ITD affecting cell-cycle regulation in a model of AML.