How does MYC gene work?

The c-Myc gene serves as a “master regulator” of cellular metabolism and proliferation. Since it is activated by a large number of oncogenic pathways and, in turn, stimulates many of the metabolic changes that result in malignant transformation, it is truly “both the chicken and the egg”.

Why is MYC important?

The MYC oncogene contributes to the genesis of many human cancers. Recent insights into its expression and function have led to new cancer therapeutic opportunities. MYC’s activation by bromodomain proteins could be inhibited by drug-like molecules, resulting in tumor inhibition in vivo.

How does MYC contribute to cancer?

MYC activation leads to tumorigenesis through suppression of critical safeguards such as apoptosis, proliferative arrest, differentiation, and senescence. Activation of MYC also facilitates engagement of hallmarks of tumor growth, as well as cell-extrinsic phenomena such as host immunity.

How does MYC activate transcription?

MYC–Max heterodimers activate transcription through interactions with transcriptional coactivators (that is, TRRAP, BAF53) and their associated histone acetyltransferases and/or ATPase/helicases (Nilsson and Cleveland, 2003).

How does Myc promote cell proliferation?

MYC stimulates cell-cycle progression and the cellular proliferation through the regulation of genes related to cell-cycle control. MYC induces positive cell-cycle regulators such as several cyclins, CDKs and E2F transcription factors (green arrows).

What DNA structure does c-Myc a protein bind in DNA?

Myc

Why is Myc Hard Target?

Second, the structure of the Myc protein itself does not have preferred binding pocket for traditional drug modalities. Myc protein lacks the catalytic clefts, and thus, has no feasible or effective drug-binding pockets for traditional small molecule drugs.

What happens when you have a mutation in the Myc gene?

Myc transcription factor leads to upregulation of several genes which are involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and cellular transformation, leading to increased cell number and thus, cancer.

What result does C-MYC have on transcription?

In the human genome, C-myc is located on chromosome 8 and is believed to regulate expression of 15\% of all genes through binding on enhancer box sequences (E-boxes)….Myc.

Is MYC a tumor suppressor gene?

The tumor suppressor p53 negatively regulates a number of genes, including the proto-oncogene c-Myc, in addition to activating many other genes. One mechanism of the p53-mediated c-Myc repression may involve transcriptional regulation.

How does Myc affect the cell cycle?

Promotion of the cell cycle is a major oncogenic mechanism of the oncogene c-MYC (MYC). MYC promotes the cell cycle by not only activating or inducing cyclins and CDKs but also through the downregulation or the impairment of the activity of a set of proteins that act as cell-cycle brakes.