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Published on: December 31, 2014

c-Myc-induced genomic instability

Sabine Mai1, J Frederic Mushinski

  • 1Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology, Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. smai@cc.umanitoba.CA

Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology : Official Organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer
|October 8, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Deregulated c-Myc expression, a proto-oncogene, initiates cancer by causing genomic instability. This oncoprotein promotes gene amplification, rearrangements, and karyotypic instability, driving cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • c-Myc is a proto-oncogene whose deregulated expression, not mutation, initiates neoplastic transformation.
  • Its transforming activity is linked to modulating gene expression, including proliferation-promoting genes.
  • Emerging evidence indicates c-Myc also impacts genome stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence linking deregulated c-Myc expression to genomic instability.
  • To highlight c-Myc's role in initiating and progressing cancer through genomic alterations.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, summarizing existing research.
  • Evidence from studies on gene amplification, rearrangements, and karyotypic instability was compiled.

Main Results:

  • Deregulated c-Myc expression induces genomic instability.
  • This instability manifests as intra- and extra-chromosomal gene amplification, gene rearrangements, and karyotypic instability.
  • c-Myc contributes to cancer initiation and progression by inducing instability in critical genes.

Conclusions:

  • c-Myc is a multifunctional oncoprotein that promotes neoplastic transformation.
  • It acts as a structural modifier of the genome, inducing genomic instability.
  • This instability is a key factor in cancer development and progression.

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