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MYC oncogenes and human neoplastic disease
C E Nesbit1, J M Tersak, E V Prochownik
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
Abstract:
c-myc, N-myc and L-myc are the three members of the myc oncoprotein family whose role in the pathogenesis of many human neoplastic diseases has received wide empirical support. In this review, we first summarize data, derived mainly from non-clinical studies, indicating that these oncoproteins actually serve quite different roles in vivo. This concept necessarily lies at the heart of the basis for the observation that the deregulated expression of each MYC gene is reproducibly associated with only certain naturally occurring malignancies in humans and that these genes are not interchangeable with respect to their aberrant functional consequences. We also review evidence implicating each of the above MYC genes in specific neoplastic diseases and have attempted to identify unresolved questions which deserve further basic or clinical investigation. We have made every attempt to review those diseases for which significant and confirmatory evidence, based on studies with primary tumor material, exists to implicate MYC members in their causation and/or progression.
Insights
The three MYC oncoproteins (c-MYC, N-MYC, and L-MYC) have distinct roles in human cancers. Deregulated expression of each MYC gene is linked to specific malignancies, highlighting their non-interchangeable functions in disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The MYC family of oncoproteins, including c-MYC, N-MYC, and L-MYC, are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous human cancers.
- Empirical evidence supports the significant role of MYC oncoproteins in the development and progression of various neoplastic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize the distinct in vivo roles of c-MYC, N-MYC, and L-MYC oncoproteins.
- To correlate the deregulated expression of specific MYC genes with particular human malignancies.
- To identify unresolved questions for future basic and clinical research regarding MYC gene involvement in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of data primarily from non-clinical studies on MYC oncoprotein function.
- Analysis of evidence linking specific MYC genes to distinct neoplastic diseases.
- Examination of studies utilizing primary tumor material to confirm MYC involvement.
Main Results:
- MYC oncoproteins (c-MYC, N-MYC, L-MYC) exhibit distinct functional roles in vivo.
- The deregulated expression of each MYC gene is specifically associated with certain human cancers.
- MYC genes are not interchangeable; their aberrant functional consequences differ.
Conclusions:
- The distinct roles of MYC oncoproteins explain their specific associations with different human malignancies.
- Further investigation is warranted to address unresolved questions regarding MYC gene involvement in cancer causation and progression.
- Confirmatory evidence from primary tumor studies supports the role of MYC members in specific cancers.