RNA polymerases I and III, growth control and cancer.
Transcription of rRNA and tRNA genes by RNA polymerases I and III is essential for sustained protein synthesis and is therefore a fundamental determinant of the capacity of a cell to grow. When cell growth is not required, this transcription is repressed by retinoblastoma protein, p53 and ARF. However, inactivation of these tumour suppressors in cancers deregulates RNA polymerases I and III, and oncoproteins such as Myc can stimulate these systems further. Such events might have a significant impact on the growth potential of tumours.
White
Robert J
RJ
Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK. rwhite@udcf.gla.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000502:physiology; D012318:RNA Polymerase I / Q000502:physiology*; D012320:RNA Polymerase III / Q000502:physiology*; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000502:physiology
D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D012318:RNA Polymerase I; D012320:RNA Polymerase III