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Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Proliferation and Differentiation of Murine Myeloid Precursor 32D/G-CSF-R Cells
Published on: February 21, 2018
Stat3-mediated Myc expression is required for Src transformation and PDGF-induced mitogenesis
T Bowman1, M A Broome, D Sinibaldi
1Molecular Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida College of Medicine, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Abstract:
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins perform key roles in mediating signaling by cytokines and growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). In addition, Src family kinases activate STAT signaling and are required for PDGF-induced mitogenesis in normal cells. One STAT family member, Stat3, has been shown to have an essential role in cell transformation by the Src oncoprotein. However, the mechanisms by which STAT-signaling pathways contribute to mitogenesis and transformation are not fully defined. We show here that disruption of Stat3 signaling by using dominant-negative Stat3beta protein in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts suppresses c-Myc expression concomitant with inhibition of v-Src-induced transformation. Ectopic expression of c-Myc is able to partially reverse this inhibition, suggesting that c-Myc is a downstream effector of Stat3 signaling in v-Src transformation. Furthermore, c-myc gene knockout fibroblasts are refractory to transformation by v-Src, consistent with a requirement for c-Myc protein in v-Src transformation. In normal NIH 3T3 cells, disruption of Stat3 signaling with dominant-negative Stat3beta protein inhibits PDGF-induced mitogenesis in a manner that is reversed by ectopic c-Myc expression. Moreover, inhibition of Src family kinases with the pharmacologic agent, SU6656, blocks Stat3 activation by PDGF. These findings, combined together, delineate the signaling pathway, PDGF --> Src --> Stat3 --> Myc, that is important in normal PDGF-induced mitogenesis and subverted in Src transformation.
Insights
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling activates Src kinases, which then activate Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). This pathway, crucial for cell growth and transformation, involves c-Myc as a key downstream effector.
Area of Science:
- Cellular signaling pathways
- Oncogenesis
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins mediate cytokine and growth factor signaling, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).
- Src family kinases are involved in PDGF-induced mitogenesis and STAT signaling.
- Stat3 plays a role in Src oncoprotein-mediated cell transformation, but the precise mechanisms are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the signaling mechanisms by which STAT pathways contribute to mitogenesis and transformation.
- To define the role of c-Myc as a downstream effector in the PDGF-Src-STAT3 pathway.
- To investigate the interplay between Src, STAT3, and c-Myc in normal cell growth and oncogenic transformation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized dominant-negative Stat3beta protein to disrupt Stat3 signaling in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.
- Employed ectopic c-Myc expression and c-myc gene knockout to assess c-Myc's role.
- Inhibited Src family kinases using the pharmacologic agent SU6656.
Main Results:
- Disruption of Stat3 signaling suppressed c-Myc expression and inhibited v-Src-induced transformation.
- Ectopic c-Myc expression partially reversed Stat3 inhibition, indicating c-Myc is a downstream effector.
- c-myc gene knockout fibroblasts were resistant to v-Src transformation.
- Inhibition of Src kinases blocked PDGF-induced Stat3 activation.
- PDGF-induced mitogenesis was inhibited by Stat3 disruption but reversed by c-Myc expression.
Conclusions:
- Delineated the signaling pathway PDGF --> Src --> Stat3 --> Myc, critical for normal mitogenesis.
- Demonstrated that this pathway is subverted during Src-mediated transformation.
- Established c-Myc as a key downstream mediator of Stat3 signaling in both normal cell growth and oncogenesis.
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