Role of c-Myc in Apc mutant intestinal phenotype: case closed or time for a new beginning?
Inactivation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene occurs in most colorectal cancers. The proto-oncogene c-MYC was one of the first genes linked to APC inactivation, but the in vivo significance of c-MYC's enhanced expression in intestinal cells with APC defects has been uncertain. Sansom et al. recently reported that targeted inactivation of c-Myc in murine intestinal epithelium potently inhibited phenotypical and transcriptional changes seen in Apc-deficient intestinal epithelium. While these findings are very interesting, some questions remain about the assignment of c-Myc as the pre-eminent beta-catenin-regulated gene in intestinal epithelium.
Bommer
Guido T
GT
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA.
Fearon
Eric R
ER
D017491:Genes, APC; D016259:Genes, myc; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype