title: Function of the c-Myc oncogenic transcription factor.
abstract: The c-myc gene and the expression of the c-Myc protein are frequently altered in human cancers. The c-myc gene encodes the transcription factor c-Myc, which heterodimerizes with a partner protein, termed Max, to regulate gene expression. Max also heterodimerizes with the Mad family of proteins to repress transcription, antagonize c-Myc, and promote cellular differentiation. The constitutive activation of c-myc expression is key to the genesis of many cancers, and hence the understanding of c-Myc function depends on our understanding of its target genes. In this review, we attempt to place the putative target genes of c-Myc in the context of c-Myc-mediated phenotypes. From this perspective, c-Myc emerges as an oncogenic transcription factor that integrates the cell cycle machinery with cell adhesion, cellular metabolism, and the apoptotic pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA. cvdang@welch.jhu.edu
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Resar
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emison
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Prescott
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wonsey
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zeller
mesh_terms: D051778:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D050976:Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019281:Dimerization; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051778:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D050976:Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C499330:MAX protein, human; C067850:Myc associated factor X; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D014157:Transcription Factors