Kwon sandbox
From Proteopedia
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Revision as of 01:10, 3 November 2009
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Myc (cMyc) codes for a protein that binds to the DNA of other genes. When Myc is mutated, or overexpressed, the protein doesn't bind correctly, and often causes cancer.
When a gene like Myc is altered to cause cancer, the cancerous version of the gene is called an oncogene. The healthy version of the gene that it is derived from is called a proto-oncogene.
Myc gene encodes for a transcription factor that is believed to regulate expression of 15% of all genes [1] through binding on Enhancer Box sequences (E-boxes) and recruiting histone acetyltransferases (HATs). Myc belongs to Myc family of transcription factors, which also includes N-Myc and L-Myc genes. Myc-family transcription factors contain the bHLH/LZ (basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper) domain.
A mutated version of Myc is found in many cancers which causes Myc to be persistently expressed. This leads to the unregulated expression of many genes some of which are involved in cell proliferation and results in the formation of cancer. A common translocation which involves Myc is t(8:14) is involved in the development of a lymphoma. A recent study demontrated that temporary inhibition of Myc selectively kills mouse lung cancer cells, making it a potential cancer drug target.[2]
