MYC in mammalian epidermis: how can an oncogene stimulate differentiation?
MYC in human epidermal stem cells can stimulate differentiation rather than uncontrolled proliferation. This discovery was, understandably, greeted with scepticism by researchers. However, subsequent studies have confirmed that MYC can stimulate epidermal stem cells to differentiate and have shed light on the underlying mechanisms. Two concepts that are relevant to cancer have emerged: first, MYC regulates similar genes in different cell types, but the biological consequences are context-dependent; and second, MYC activation is not a simple 'on/off' switch - the cellular response depends on the strength and duration of MYC activity, which in turn is affected by the many cofactors and regulatory pathways with which MYC interacts.
Watt
Fiona M
FM
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK. fiona.watt@cancer.org.uk
Frye
Michaela
M
Benitah
Salvador Aznar
SA
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009857:Oncogenes; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism
D002843:Chromatin; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc