The Myc Transcription Factor

By: Michael Reisfeld

MYC Was Originally cloned From a transforming Virus

Myc is a Transcription Factor Which Dimerizes With a Leucine Zipper and binds

to DNA Via a Helix-Loop-Helix

Myc is part of pathway that promotes Cell Proliferation

Myc Targets a Huge Array of Genes to Perform This Function

Myc is a Family of Three

Proteins, in Which Each Possesses a

Slightly different Function

Overexpression of Each Specific Myc Protein Is Responsible for Corresponding Tumor Types

Neuroblastoma (N-myc)

Small Cell Lung Cancer (L-myc)Burkitt’s Lymphoma (c-myc)

c-Myc Overexpression Can Induce Tumors

A More Human Side…

Burkitt’s Lymphoma• 2% of Lymphoproliferative Disorders• C-myc translocation associated with ALL cases– 85% involve translocation to IGH

Is Myc a Viable Target for Treatment?

Works CitedBellan, C et al. “Burkitt’s lymphoma: new insights into molecular pathogenesis.” Journal of Clinical Pathology. 11 July 2002; 56:3, 188-192.

Coller HA, Grandori C, Tamayo P, Colbert T, Lander ES, Eisenman RN, et al. ”Expression analysis with oligonucleotide microarrays reveals that MYC regulates genes involved in growth, cell cycle, signaling, and adhesion.” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2000; 97(7):3260-5.

Dalla-Favera R, et al. “Cloning and characterization of different human sequences related to the onc gene (v-myc) of avian myelocytomatosis virus (MC29).” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1982;79:6497–501

Ellwood-Yen, Katherine et al. “Myc-driven murine prostate cancer shares molecular features with human prostate tumors.” UClA.

Hatton, Kimi S et al. “Expression and Activity of L-Myc in Normal Mouse Development.” Molecular and Cellular Biology. 1996; 16:4, 1794-1804

Henriksson, Marie and Marina Vita. “The Myc oncoprotein as a therapeutic target for human cancer.” Seminars in Cancer Biology. 2006; 16, 318-330

Laurenti, Elisa et al. “Hematopoietic Stem Cell function and Survival Depend on c-myc and N-myc activity.” Cell Stem Cell. 4 Dec 2008; 3:6, 611-624

Nesbitt, Chad et al. “Myc Oncogenes and human neoplastic disease.” Oncogene. 13 May 1999; 18:19, 3004-3016

Penn, Linda Z and Amanda R. Wasylishen. “Myc: The Beauty and the Beast.” Genes and Cancer. 26 July 2010;1:6, 532-541

Wey, Alice et al. “c- and N-myc Regulate Neural Precursor Cell Fate, Cell Cycle, and Metabolism to Direct Cerebellar Development.” Cerebellum. Dec 2010; 9:4, 537-547

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/203/myelocytomatosis

.http://www.scripps.org/articles/1391-neuroblastoma

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